Payyannur: As the district school art festival reaches Payyannur, N V Krishnan can be seen pedalling his bicycle through the town's streets. Despite being 76 years old, the renowned dance guru's youthful energy remains unshaken. A master who has nurtured the artistic talents of several, including Malayalam superstar Manju Warrier, Krishnan moves through the town with a sense of quiet satisfaction.

Manju is my pride

For him, Manju Warrier is more than a disciple. “She still calls me and asks about my family and their well-being. She has not let the title of ‘Lady Superstar’ get to her head,” says Krishnan.

His wife, PK Geeta, echoes this sentiment, noting how Manju often checks in on her guru’s health. Even before becoming a star, Manju danced at the Payyannur Ambala Maidanam during the festival day, a moment Krishnan fondly recalls.

“Despite her rise in stardom, she always remembered her roots. She came to perform at the Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Payyannur even after becoming famous. She is my pride,” says Krishnan, his face glowing with affection. “It’s my child who comes when I call.”

A Master of the Arts

Krishnan’s influence in the world of dance extends far beyond Manju Warrier. His students include a long list of talented artists, such as Shamna Kasim, Parvathy Nambiar, Heera Namboothiri, Sayanora Philip, Chitra Iyer, Vipi Das, and Vineeth, among others. His disciples have, in turn, trained many more, expanding his legacy.

Krishnan’s journey began at the age of eight when he began his training in Kalaripayattu. Born on May 10, 1949, in Mathamangalam, he soon expanded his repertoire to include Kalaripayattu, Kolkali, and Kathakali. At the age of 20, he joined the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai, where he eventually became a teacher. He later partnered with the dance prodigy Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan. In 1984-85, he returned to Payyannur and established a dance school called Bharatanjali in both Payyannur and Kannur.

His dedication to his craft continued as he studied Kalaripayattu, Kolkali, and Kathakali during his undergraduate years. He has now lived in Payyannur for 38 years, and his family continues to be deeply involved in the world of dance. While his wife Geeta did not pursue a career in the arts, his sons, Sanghamitra, Mahendran, and Ambareesh, have all followed in their father’s footsteps. Sanghamitra and his daughter Vaiga continue to contribute to the dance industry today.

Krishnan expresses his concern about the decline in the quality and uniqueness of school art festivals. According to him, the introduction of CDs for Pakka Mela has diminished the distinctiveness of the events. "There is a shortage of gifted children in this field. Classical dances, like Bharatanatyam, which demand a great deal of attention, have lost their original quality," he says. He attributes this decline to the departure from traditional dance forms, noting that it costs between Rs 60,000 and 80,000 to properly prepare a child for the stage.