1928-2009
Born in 1928 in Moozhikulam, Kerala in the Ammannur Chakyar family, Moozhikulam Kochukuttan Chakyar studied with Kidangoor Narayana Chakyar, Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Irinjalakkuda Madhava Chakyar and Mani Madhava Chakyar. He learnt Sanskrit from Kallankara Narayana Pisharody and Kodasseri Kochunni Kartha.
He specialized in vidooshaka roles in Koodiyaattam and oral rendering of Prabhandha Koothu (purushaarthhams). Kochukuttan Chakyar joined Margi in Thiruvananthapuram in 1981 as a tutor and trained promising performers of Koodiyaattam such as Margi Madhu, Narayanan, Margi Raman, Margi Sati and Usha. He has made significant contributions to the art of Koodiyaattam as a teacher and a performer.
Government of India honoured Kochukuttan Chakyar with Padma Shri in recognition of his contributions to Koodiyaattam. Kerala Kalamandalam award, Natyanikasha Puraskaram, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award are among other awards and accolades received by him.
