THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Koodiyattam performer Kapila Venu has been selected for this year's National Kumar Gandharva Award of the Cultural Department of the Madhya Pradesh Government.
The award comprising a cash prize of Rs 1.25 lakh, a citation and a sculpture will be presented on April 8 at the Malhar Smriti Mandir at Village of Devas in Madhya Pradesh which was Pandit Kumar Gandharv's home for several years. This is the first time the award which was initially reserved for musicians is being given to a performing artiste of a different genre.
Kapila Venu, one of the foremost disciples of Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, was trained at Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam and Natanakairali. She is the only daughter of Koodiyattam exponent G Venu and mohiniyattam exponent Nirmala Paniker. Kapila was trained in Koodiyattam by her father Venu, Usha Nangiar, Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar and Kitangur Rama Chakyar. She got training under Japanese avant-garde dancer Min Tanaka for several years. She was one of the two Indian actors who participated in the World Theatre Project led by Swedish director Peter Oskarson.
Kapila has collaborated with artistes from abroad, including Min Tanaka(Japan), Wally Cardona(USA), Peter Oskarson (Sweden) and Hanna Tuulikki (Scotland). She was part of all productions of Nangiar Koothu and Koodiyattam directed by Guru G Venu, including Abhijnana Sakunthalam, Vikramorvasheeyam and Saundaryalahari.