I am Harish Kumar R, Kathakali vocalist, working at Kerala Kalamandalam since 2005.
Second-grade instructor of Kathakali Sangeetham. Diploma and Post Diploma in Kathakali Sangeetham from Kerala Kalamandalam (1988–1997).
Joined the Kathakali Sangeetham Department of Kerala Kalamandalam as a Second Grade Instructor on 21-08-2005. Completed 15 years of service on 05-09-2020. Subsequently, appointed as UGC Assistant Professor on 01-05-2022.
A-Grade Artist at Akashvani. A dedicated singer performing on various stages with legends since 1994. Has visited Singapore, Dubai, Australia & USA with Kerala Kalamandalam Kathakali Troupe.
Born on 3rd February 1972 in Midayikkunnam, Kottayam District. Elder son of late Raman Namboodiri and Chandrika Devi. Learned music under Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan at Thrippunithura for 1 year. Joined Kerala Kalamandalam, specialized in Kathakali music.
Mentors: Kalamandalam Gangadharan, Kalamandalam Madambi Subramanian Namboodiri, Kalamandalam Rama Warrier, Kalamandalam Subrahmanyan, Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan.
Also learned Carnatic music from Kodanda Ramayyar and Sreedharan Namboodiri. Participated in recording program at Ezhuthachan Memorial University, Malappuram, and performed “Nalacharitham”.
Performed with Kerala Kalamandalam Kathakali Troupe in Khajuraho Festival and Onam Kathakali Festival organized by Govt of Kerala, Trivandrum. Participated in IKKF 2017, Dubai.
Awards:
• Chalakkudy Nambeesan Memorial Award (2006–2007)
• Thripunithura K.V. Kochaniyan Memorial Award (2007–2008)
• Edappally Club Award – Sankaran Embranthiri Memorial (2010–2011)
• Kalamandalam Venmani Haridas Memorial Award (2011–2012)
• Ernakulam Kathakali Club Thourithrikam Award (2019–2020)
• Pallom Madhavan Memorial Sangeetha Saraswathi Award, Panichikkad (2023)
Composed and performed music for Kalamandalam Shiju Kumar’s “Ekalavya Charitham”.
Ajesh Prabhakar P
Kalamandalam Ajesh Prabhakar
Assistant Professor
Kalamandalam Ajesh Prabhakar (P. Ajesh Prabhakar), Assistant Professor in Kathakali Music Department, Kerala Kalamandalam, has 19 years of teaching experience.
Diploma (First Class) in Kathakali Music, advanced training under Govt. of India scholarship.
Trained under maestros Kalamandalam Madambi Subramanian Namboodiri, Hyderali, Subramanian, Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan, Sukumaran and Bhavadasan.
Performed as Ponnani and Sankidi in India, USA, Italy, and Hungary. External examiner for MG University, A-graded musician of Akashvani and Doordarshan, and directed eight new Kathakali music compositions.