Kedamangalam Sadanandan

Kedamangalam Sadanandan (1926 – 13 April 2008) was a Kadhaprasangam artist, actor, screenwriter and lyricist from Kerala. He performed Kadhaprasangam (story telling) in more than 15,000 stages for over 50,000 hours in a career spanning about 64 years. He wrote scripts for 12 films, lyrics for more than hundred films and acted in about 40 films. He received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship in 1981. Kedamangalam Sadanandan was born in Paravur, Kerala, in December 1926. He debuted on stage as a monodramatist in 1944. During his early years, he performed famous poems including Changampuzha's Vazhakkula and Ramanan. Ramanan alone was performed in 3,476 stages. Another one was Unniarcha, the Ezhava dame who humbled the rapacious Jonaka gang with mastery over sword fight. Sadanandan ruled the stage for 64 years as a Kadhaprasangam artiste and he presented over 40 stories for over 50,000 hours on 15,000 stages. He also acted in 40 films, scripted 12 films and wrote songs for about 100 movies. Despite age related infirmities, he continued his vocation till his last years. He died on 13 April 2008 due to lung cancer.