Emerging from the shadows of poverty, Kalaivalarmani 

K. Venkatesan transformed challenges into success, discovering life’s deeper meaning and leaving an unforgettable imprint on the world of art.

 He was born in Tindivanam, one of the famous places of the Cholas, on 24. 07.1989 as the son of a rickshaw driver. Initially, he hid his artistic talent due to stage fright and family restrictions, but his creative journey began in his eleventh grade. 

 In 2010, under the guidance of his friend Ram Kumar, he learnt parai and oyilattam for five days in Vikravandi. After that, in 2011, he started his artistic journey in a big way with the ‘Sangamam Art Group’. There he learned drama and kolattam from the teacher Parai Bala. In 2012, he did many projects with the Chennai AMC organization.

 He has worked as an arts teacher in many schools and colleges. He brought the ‘Karpom elthuvom’ project to the people with the aim of service. He studied folk art at Alagappa College, Karaikudi in 2019 (distance education). As an artist, he has experienced many hardships during the Covid 19 pandemic. At that time, he was also involved in tough jobs like a vegetable seller and security, and a painter. After that, in 2022, he worked at a district level in charge of the government project ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’. In 2022, he applied for the Kalaivalarmani Award. But at that time, the award was temporarily suspended. The award was received unexpectedly on February 19, 2024, from the Villupuram District Collector Palani IAS was received by Venkatesan.

Written by Dharshini

Edited by Rupam Shukla