Balakrishnan is an octogenarian from Kerala’s Kannur. He is passionate about dance, even at the age 81. His dance moves remain graceful and agile, proving that age is just a number. Over a career that spans six decades, this Kannur native has introduced hundreds of children to the world of dance, earning him a reputation as one of the most esteemed dance teachers in Malabar and garnering numerous accolades along the way.
Each day, students flock to the Pallikkunnu Academy of Indian Classical Dance, which Balakrishnan founded, to learn Bharatanatyam under his guidance. His influence reaches beyond his local community, with around 50 of his former students now teaching this classical dance form both in India and abroad. His own love for dance began at the age of 12, inspired by his elder brother, C. H. Raghavan, who was also an artist.
Reflecting on his journey, Balakrishnan remains humble. “Kathakali maestro Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair danced even at 100, so my teaching at 81 is not extraordinary. Teaching Bharatanatyam is not just a profession for me; it’s a spiritual practice. We must devote our bodies and minds to it. Age is no obstacle to my passion,” he shares. His initial training in Bharatanatyam was under Guru Thaliparamba Krishnadas at the Yuvajana Kala Samiti, associated with the Kotali Desabhivardhini Library. Later, he received further training at his guru’s home in Thaliparamba. After a short stint as an accountant, Balakrishnan fully committed himself to the art of dance.
“I started teaching at various schools before founding my own academy in Azhikode in 1963. Today, our academy serves more than a hundred students across multiple branches,” he adds.
A pillar of strength in his life is his wife, Manorama, who is also a dancer. She was the first to perform a Bharatanatyam recital in Kannur and has been honored with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award. “My wife was instrumental in introducing the purest form of Bharatanatyam to Kannur. Even at 70, she remains actively involved in our academy,” says Balakrishnan.
Throughout his illustrious career, Balakrishnan has received several prestigious awards, including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s Guru Pooja Award, the Kaladarpanam Senior Dance Teacher Award, and the C. K. Panicker Dance Award. He has also authored ‘Vadakin Nupuradhwanikal’, a book documenting the history of classical arts in Kannur, a center for temple art forms. In addition, he has directed around 20 dance dramas, further solidifying his legacy in the world of classical dance.
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