Sankaranarayana Menon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sankaranarayana Menon Chundayil (1929-02-15)15 February 1929 |
| Died | June 6, 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 94) Chavakkad |
| Citizenship | India |
| Occupation | Kalarippayattu teacher |
| Spouse | Soudamini Amma |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
|
| Awards | Padma Shri,Kerala Folklore Academy Gurupooja Award |
Sankaranarayana Menon (February 15, 1929 – June 6, 2023) popularly known asUnni Gurukkal was aKalaripayattugurukkal or teacher fromChavakkad,Kerala, India. For his contributions in the field of Kalaripayattu, he has won several noted awards including Kerala Folklore Academy Award and India's fourth highest civilian honorPadma Shri.[1]
Menon was born in 1929 on 15 February, to Mudavangattil Sankunni Panicker and Chundayil Kalyanikutti Amma, in a family of Kalaripayat experts atNiramaruthur nearTirur in present dayMalappuram district of Kerala.[2][3] In 1955, family came toChavakkad inThrissur district.[3] His family were traditional leaders of the army of the king ofVettathunadu inMalabar.[4] In 1957, the family established a Kalarippayattu school calledVallabhatta Kalari in Chavakkad.[3][5]
At the age of six, Menon started learning Kalaripayattu from his father Sankunni Panicker.[4] He made his debut at Mudavangad Kalari at the age of fourteen.[6] He became a Kalarigurukkal (teacher) at the age of 16.[7]
Unni Gurukkal spreadKalaripayattu, anIndian martial art fromKerala, outside India and started branches of his Kalaripayattu school in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, France and Belgium.[7][1] His team, which has performed Kalaripayattu in over 50 countries, also performed Kalaripayattu duringIndian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's visit toDubai.[7]
He died on June 6, 2023.[2]
His wife Soudamini Amma is fromMalappuram, from the Ozhur Kozhissery Punnakal family.[3] Menon married Saudamini, at the age of 33.[4] Their sons Krishnadas Gurukkal, Rajan Gurukkal and Dineshan Gurukkal are also Kalaripayattu practitioners.[7] He has also a daughter.