Kalamandalam Kesavan: A percussionist, who sets the pace and rhythm for a Kathakali performance; a writer who could make a rapport with readers; and an actor who could easily fit on to the silver screen. Indeed a rare blend of creative talent. And that is what makes Kalamandalam Kesavan unique and interesting.

Kalamandalam Kesavan's first love obviously was the Chenda, the percussion instrument, which made him one of the best performers for more than 50 years. It is said that, Kathakali actors during the course of a performance used to experience a higher level of confidence just by the mere presence of Mr. Kesavan on the stage.

This septuagenarian, while traveling down the memory lane identifies the days that he had spend as a student of percussion under the watchful eyes of his uncle Neettiyath Govindan Nair. With his initiation into the art and science of percussion turning out on a good note, Mr. Kesavan took his training to a higher level. Subsequent training in percussion under eminent practitioners of percussion at that time like Moothamana Kesavan Namboodiri and Thiruvillwamala Venkinchan Swami at the famous Poomully Mana refined his skills in percussion.

And in 1954, Mr. Kesavan got enrolled in Kalamandalam, where he further fine-tuned his abilities on Chenda. During this period of learning, it was the renowned percussion master Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval who taught the finer aspects of playing the Chenda.

Mr. Kesavan?s tenure at the Kalamandalam also brought him close to the family of Kerala's renowned poet who is credited with the establishment of Kerala Kalamandalam- Valathol Narayana Menon. It was also the same time that the literary talents in Mr. Kesavan started to emerge. He attributes some of the solitary moments he spent on the banks of the Nila as one of the sources of inspiration in writing.

After his schooling at Kalamandalam, Mr. Kesavan spent short stints as performer at Kala Sadanam, Chunangad and RLV Academy, Thripunithura. At RLV, Mr. Kesavan was fortunate to work with the Kathakali stalwart Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Nair, to whom he gives the credit for learning the art of accompanying the actors on the percussion.

Later, Mr. Kesavan's long association with FACT Kathakali School became a turning point in his life and career. It was during his tenure here that he reached the pinnacle of his popularity as a percussion artiste and also laid a strong foundation as a serious writer and as a Kathakali playwright. With more than 40 titles to his credit, with noted works being Karkodakan, Melam, Edakkayude Dukkham, Niyogam etc. He has also penned several poems for children. His work titled Thenthulli won him the Sahithya Akademi Award.

Now comes the third stage of his talent, which he identified in acting and that too on the celluloid. His debut film was Maratam. It was the noted filmmaker, the late Aravindan who spotted the actor in Kalamandalam Kesavan. Soon after his debut film, he slowly started to make his presence in Malayalam films and is now a familiar face to Malayalam cine goers and of late has become quite busy with television serials too.

Now the question is what next. Who knows? May be there could be something more to Kalamandalam Kesavan besides what we already known as an artiste. He has proven beyond doubt that he is versatile, but there could still be a different arena awaiting him to caste his artistic magic.