Kerala: Acclaimed Ottanthullal artist died on stage, while performing

A video clip of Ottanthullal exponent Kalamandalam Geethanandan’s last performance on Sunday circulating on the social media showed that he collapsed on stage with folded hands as the shocked audience looked on.

Noted Ottanthullal exponent Kalamandalam Geethanandan collapsed and died, while performing at a temple in Irinjalakkuda. Ottan Thullal is a dance and poetic performance form of Kerala.

Though Geethanandan (58), retired head of Thullal Department at Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead on Sunday, police said.

A video clip of his last performance circulating on the social media showed that Geethanandan collapsed in front of the percussion artist with folded hands as the shocked audience looked on. Thullal, a solo poetic performance combining dance and recitations, is one of the oldest art forms of Kerala.

Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Geethanandan saying his death was a great loss to the field of culture in the state.

Leader of opposition in the state assembly, Ramesh Chennithala, said Geethanandan was an artist who made thullal popular among people.

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