G. Venu

==Contributions==

==Contributions==

It was during his [[Kathakali]] studies that Venu developed an interest in [[Mudra]]s, the hand gestures of the Indian classical visual arts. Having done extensive research on the subject, he later created a sophisticated dance notation system to define mudra in Kerala visual arts, including Kathakali, Koodiyattam and [[Mohiniyattam]].<ref name="CSP">{{cite web |title=How Kuttiyatam and Abhinaya Guru G Venu Took Kerala To the World |url=https://www.csp.indica.in/how-kuttiyatam-and-abhinaya-guru-g-venu-took-kerala-to-the-world/ |website=Center for Soft Power |date=29 June 2020}}</ref> In 1977, the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]] published his book, containing detailed descriptions of his 373 mudras, titled ''Kathakaliyile Kai mudrakal'' (Hand Signs in Kathakali), which was later translated into English in 1984 by Venu's own institution, Natana Kairali, under the title ''Mudras in Kathakali''.<ref name="Hindu" /> In 1994, the Cultural Department of the Government of Kerala published a dictionary prepared by him containing details of 587 mudras used in Kathakali, titled ''Kathakali Mudra Nikhandu'' (meaning: Dictionary on Kathakali mudras).<ref name="Hindu" /> The 706 page book ''Mudra'', published in 2023 contains 1341 notations of hand gestures used in Koodiyattam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=G. S. |date=2023-04-25 |title=G. Venu’s new book is a ready reckoner on mudras |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/g-venus-new-book-is-a-ready-reckoner-on-mudras/article66777296.ece |access-date=2025-07-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He has written 20 books on the techniques of the performing arts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-30 |title=വേണുജിക്ക് ഇന്ന് എൺപതാം പിറന്നാൾ |url=https://newspaper.mathrubhumi.com/thrissur/news/thrissur-1.10708396 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Newspaper |language=en}}</ref> The [[monograph]] on [[Tholpavakoothu]] was published by the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].<ref name=":1" />

It was during his [[Kathakali]] studies that Venu developed an interest in [[Mudra]]s, the hand gestures of the Indian classical visual arts. Having done extensive research on the subject, he later created a sophisticated dance notation system to define mudra in Kerala visual arts, including Kathakali, Koodiyattam and [[Mohiniyattam]].<ref name="CSP">{{cite web |title=How Kuttiyatam and Abhinaya Guru G Venu Took Kerala To the World |url=https://www.csp.indica.in/how-kuttiyatam-and-abhinaya-guru-g-venu-took-kerala-to-the-world/ |website=Center for Soft Power |date=29 June 2020}}</ref> In 1977, the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]] published his book, containing detailed descriptions of his 373 mudras, titled ''Kathakaliyile Kai mudrakal'' (Hand Signs in Kathakali), which was later translated into English in 1984 by Venu's own institution, Natana Kairali, under the title ''Mudras in Kathakali''.<ref name="Hindu" /> In 1994, the Cultural Department of the Government of Kerala published a dictionary prepared by him containing details of 587 mudras used in Kathakali, titled ''Kathakali Mudra Nikhandu'' (meaning: Dictionary on Kathakali mudras).<ref name="Hindu" /> The 706 page book ''Mudra'', published in 2023 contains 1341 notations of hand gestures used in Koodiyattam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=G. S. |date=2023-04-25 |title=G. Venu’s new book is a ready reckoner on mudras |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/g-venus-new-book-is-a-ready-reckoner-on-mudras/article66777296.ece |access-date=2025-07-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He has written 20 books on the techniques of the performing arts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-30 |title=വേണുജിക്ക് ഇന്ന് എൺപതാം പിറന്നാൾ |url=https://newspaper.mathrubhumi.com/thrissur/news/thrissur-1.10708396 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=newspaper.mathrubhumi.com |publisher=[[Mathrubhumi ]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[monograph]] on [[Tholpavakoothu]] was published by the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].<ref name=":1" />

Venu has also authored books like ''Into the World of Koodiyattam with the Legendary Ammannur Madhava Chakyar'' and ''Production of a play in Kutiyattam'' on Kutiyattam ''Mohiniyattam - The last dance'' on [[Mohiniyattam]] and ''Puppetry and lesser known dance traditions of Kerala''.<ref name="CSP"/>

Venu has also authored books like ''Into the World of Koodiyattam with the Legendary Ammannur Madhava Chakyar'' and ''Production of a play in Kutiyattam'' on Kutiyattam ''Mohiniyattam - The last dance'' on [[Mohiniyattam]] and ''Puppetry and lesser known dance traditions of Kerala''.<ref name="CSP"/>

==Awards and honors==

==Awards and honors==

G. Venu received several awards and honors including [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] by [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]] in 2007, Kerala Kalamandalam Award from [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] in 2005, [[Nikkei Asia Prize]] for Culture from Japan in 2007, and [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award|Kerala Sahitya Academy Award]] by [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi|Kerala Sahitya Academy]] in 1977.<ref name="SNA" /> In 2023, he received the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] for his overall contributions in the field of performing arts.<ref name="SNA" /> In 2024 February, he received the Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship, becoming the first person from a non-Chakyar community to receive this honour in the field of Koodiyattam.<ref name="Hindu">{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=G. S. |date=2024-02-16 |title=How G. Venu built Natana Kairali, a reputed training and performance institute |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/how-g-venu-built-natana-kairali-a-reputed-training-and-performance-institute/article67837657.ece |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

G. Venu received several awards and honors including Homi Bhaba Fellowship, Dakshinachitra Viruthu, [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] by [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]] in 2007, Kerala Kalamandalam Award from [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] in 2005, [[Nikkei Asia Prize]] for Culture from Japan in 2007, and [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]] by [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] in 1977.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="SNA" /> In 2023, he received the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] for his overall contributions in the field of performing arts.<ref name="SNA" /> In 2024 February, he received the Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship, becoming the first person from a non-Chakyar community to receive this honour in the field of Koodiyattam.<ref name="Hindu">{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=G. S. |date=2024-02-16 |title=How G. Venu built Natana Kairali, a reputed training and performance institute |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/how-g-venu-built-natana-kairali-a-reputed-training-and-performance-institute/article67837657.ece |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2023 October, Venu received the ''Nruthya Pitamaha'' (meaning: Great father in dance) title from the Urise Vedic Sangeetha Academy, Bangalore.<ref name="IAR2" />

In 2023 October, Venu received the ''Nruthya Pitamaha'' (meaning: Great father in dance) title from the Urise Vedic Sangeetha Academy, Bangalore.<ref name="IAR2" />