In the Kaliyarangu – Kottayam Anniversary function of
1980 where the great Musical Maestro Hyderali was to give a grand
Musical Concert, the second singer playing elathaalam ( a pair of
cymbals) did not turn up. Just when the program was to have ended up as
a big fiasco and embarassment to the Organisers, a young man who used to
play female roles in Kathakali rose to the occasion and gave stupendous
support to Hyderali by playing elathaalam and playing the role of a
support singer. That youngster was none other than MANGANAM RAMA
PISHARODY affectionately called Ramanashaan. He learned Kathakali from a
very young age under Manganam Krishna Pillai in traditional Guru Kula
Vidyabhyasam. He used to play all roles in Kathakali but female
characters were his master pieces.He had prowess in Chenda, Maddalam and
other percussion instruments.He also set up an art school in the name of
Manganam Sreekalanilayam. He has shared the stage with Kathakali
veterans like Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Kalamadalam Karunakaran,
Kuttan Marar etc. He went on to become the head of Kaliyarangu Kottayam.
This great grand master of Kathakali bid adieu in 1987.
Kottayam Kaliyarangu has instituted and are conferring “Manganam Rama
Pisharody Award” for more than 25 years in memory of this great Artist.
The budding Malayalam poetess Rema Prasanna Pisharody is Rama
Pisharody’s daughter.
Manganam Rama Pisharody
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