Sankara Narayana Menon Chundayil

Sankara Narayana Menon Chundayil popularly known as Unni Gurukkal is a Kalaripayattu gurukkal or teacher from Chavakkad. For his contributions in the field of Kalaripayattu, he has won several noted awards including Kerala Folklore Academy Award and India's forth highest civilian honor Padma Shri.[1]

Sankara Narayana Menon Chundayil
Born (1929-02-15) February 15, 1929
Chavakkad, Malabar district, British India
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndia
OccupationKalarippayattu teacher
Spouse(s)Soudamini Amma
Children3
Parent(s)Sankunni Panicker, Kalyanikutti Amma
AwardsPadma Shri, Kerala Folklore Academy Gurupooja Award

Biography

Sankara Narayana Menon was born in 1929 on the 15th of February, to Mudavangattil Sankunni Panicker and Chundayil Kalyanikutti Amma. His family were traditional leaders of the army of the king of Vettathunadu in Malabar.[2] At the age of six, Menon started learning Kalaripayattu from his father Sankunni Panicker.[2] He made his debut at Mudavangad Kalari at the age of fourteen.[3] He became a Kalari gurukkal (teacher) at the age of 16.[4]

Unni Gurukkal spread Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art from Kerala, outside India and started branches of his Kalaripayattu school in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, France and Belgium.[4][1] His team, which has performed Kalaripayattu in over 50 countries, also performed Kalaripayattu during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dubai.[4]

Personal life

His wife Soudamini Amma is from Malappuram, from the Ozhur Kozhissery Punnakal family.[5] Menon married Saudamini, at the age of 33.[2] Their sons Krishnadas Gurkal, Rajan Gurukkal and Dineshan Gurukkal are also Kalaripayattu practitioners. [4]

Awards and honors
  • Padma Shri 2022[1]
  • Kerala Folklore Akademi Gurupooja Award 2019[4]
  • Kerala Kalamandalam Silver Jubilee Award[4]
  • Nehru Yuvakendra Award[4]
  • Suvarnamudra Award[4]
  • Indian Kalaripayattu Association Lifetime Achievement Award[4]
  • Then Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam honored Unni Gurukkal on National Sports Day[6]

References
  1. "An ambassador for Kalaripayattu worldwide". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2022-01-26. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-01-28.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "Heart in Kalari, even at 93 for this Kerala gentleman". The New Indian Express. 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  3. ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം (2022-01-26). "ചുവടുതെറ്റാത്ത കളരി ഗുരുക്കൾക്ക് പത്മശ്രീയുടെ ആദരം | Madhyamam". www.madhyamam.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  4. "അടവു തെറ്റാതെ ഉണ്ണി ഗുരുക്കൾ; നവതിയിൽ പുരസ്കാര നിറവ്". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  5. ഡെസ്ക്, ന്യൂസ്. "കളരി ഗുരുക്കള്‍ക്ക് പത്മശ്രീ തിളക്കം". Southlive (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  6. "കളരിപ്പയറ്റ് പെരുമ വാനോളമുയർത്തി ഉണ്ണി ഗുരുക്കൾ; തേടിയെത്തി പത്മ പുരസ്കാരം". Manoramanews. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
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