The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company brought Kathakali to this country in 1987 and made its base in Southampton. From this multicultural city, the company has taken Kathakali throughout the UK, bringing its rich and ancient culture to thousands of people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities. They strive to make the ancient art of Kathakali as accessible as possible and are delighted to be bringing Kathakali to the people of this country again.
Faces, Voices, and Hands: People Behind the Tour
Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar – Kathakali Chutti Artist
Barbara is the co-founder and co-director of The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. She arrived in South India after travelling alone overland to India across thousands of miles in 1972.
Barbara was trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam by the most respected of all Chutti [make-up] experts, Kalamandalam Govinda Variyar, and became the first-ever female professional Chutti artist in the world.
Barbara is responsible for transforming the actors with the distinctive make-up unique to Kathakali. She has applied Chutti to the world’s top Kathakali artists over the last 43 years and was a make-up consultant on the Warner Brothers film Pan.
Kalamandalam Vijayakumar – Kathakali Actor
Kalamandalam Vijayakumar is the co-founder and co-director of The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. Born in Kerala, he trained under the late master Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair and Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi at the Kerala Kalamandalam.
He was quickly recognised as an outstanding Kathakali female-character specialist. A superb teacher and brilliant actor, his sensitive performances and extraordinary skills have captivated audiences worldwide for the last 43 years.
Guest Artists from India for the 2026 Tour
Actors
Kalinalayam Balakrishnan
An outstanding actor who has performed all over the world for decades, was the principal professor at The Sadanam Kathakali Academy, Kerala, India, for 37 years, and brings the story alive through his interpretation of Kathakali heroic characters.
Kalamandalam Kutty Krishnan
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam, he has toured the UK on many occasions, bringing Kathakali to thousands of people all over the country. He excels in his classical movements and characterisation.
Kalamandalam Venkittiraman
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam, he is a strong actor who can take on evil characters with arrogance and aggression.
Sadanam Mohan
Trained at Sadanam Kathakali Academy, he has toured the UK, France and other countries, specialising in Kathakali’s evil characters. He is famous for his arrogance and anger.
Singers
Kalamandalam Mohan
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam, he has been a member of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company since 1987, providing the melody and emotion of the play through his outstanding singing.
Krishna Praveen
Trained privately in classical singing, he has accompanied Kalamandalam Mohan on many occasions. Together, their voices create perfect harmonies.
Drummers
Sadanam Ramakrishnan
Trained at Sadanam, this is his second visit to the UK. He is a sensitive drummer who reflects the emotion of the story.
Kalamandalam Aneesh
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam, he is a superb drummer who supports the actors in creating a dramatic atmosphere within the play.
A Story with a Difference
The make-up of Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar is featured on the Mayflower bus in Southampton and was highlighted in a local newspaper.
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25648709.indian-make-work-woolston-grandma-features-city-bus/
For more information please contact The Kala Chethena Kathakali company
Tel; 00 44 2380 420114 / 00 44 7740123070 Email: barbaravijayakumar@yahoo.co.uk
ALSO READ: Kerala’s Ancient Arts Take Centre Stage Across Britain: Kathakali National Tour 2026
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