Kalamandalam Balasubramanian,
Kizhakkekara Balasubramanian(born on 26th May 1971) popularly known as Kalamandalam Balasubramanian is an exponent of the classical dance-drama style, Kathakali. His parents are Late.Ramankutty Tharakan and Late.Ammukutty Amma. He is from the village Vellinezhi in Palakkad district, Kerala, southern India. He blends the solid body grammar of the highly stylished Kalluvazhi tradition in which he was groomed with the more flexible, part-realistic, emotion-laden southern style techniques he acquired later in his career.
He got 6 year Diploma in “Kathakali Actor” and 2 year PG Diploma in the same from Kerala Kalamandalam under Govt. of Kerala, India. The above courses were taught by very popular Kathakali actors Late.Guru Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody and Late.Guru Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan. He has also done Indian classical dances Bharatanatyam, Kuchippudi, Mohiniyattam, under the training of Kalamandalam Vimala Menon as well as Kalamandalam Sobha.
He is known for the romantic and dramatic portrayal of the virtuous pachha roles in Kathakali, notable among them being Nalan, Karnan, Rukmangadan, Bheeman( in Kalyanasougandhikam and Bakavadham), Arjunan(Subhadraharanam), Dharmaputrar(that is Yudhistira in Kirmeeravadham) and Kathi(like Ravana, Keechaka and Duryodhana), black-bearded Kaattalan(Kiraatham), red-bearded Bali(Balivijayam) and even semi-realistic looking Brahmanan in Santanagopalam and Parasuraman in minukku.
He has experience of more than 38 years stage shows in “Kathakali” with several characters in different stories, having performed plenty of venues in India as well as abroad such as Dubai, Spain, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laspalmas, Qatar, Bahrain, Australia, Mexico, France.
More than 23 years of experience in organizing self presentation of Kathakali, Indian classical dance and other classical arts like Chenda, Thabala, Violin, Music and Kalaripayattu. Also, more than 18 years of experience in direction of epic and modern stories in Kathakali style and other Indian classical dance style including mixed choreography.
He has been faciliated with Kummini Award, Achutha Warrior Award, Kunchu Nair Award, Vallathol Scholarship, AD Bolland Gold medal and received several appreciations from number of stage shows and also film industries in Kerala, India.
Even being a native of Palakkad, he is now residing at Kazhakuttom, Thiruvananthapuram with his family K.Usha(wife), Arjun Subramanian(Son), Archana Subramanian(daughter), SV Sajesh(son in law). He is still active and busy as a Kathakali artist in India and abroad.
Presently, he is working as an artist and teacher in the Institute of Kathakali, Margi at Thiruvananthapuram.