He studied Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam in traditional way for more than 30 years under the direct guidance of Guru Māni Mādhava Chākyār. He has studied Sanskrit and Nātyasāstra in traditional way. He holds a Master's degree in Sanskrit Literature as well. He used to be High School Sanskrit teacher at Kozhikkode.
First ever Koodiyattam performance outside Kerala - Madras 1962.
He was a member of Legendary Guru Padma ShriMāni Mādhava Chākyār's Koodiyattam troop which performed Koodiyattam outside Kerala for the first time. In that performance ( 1962, Madras)- Thoranayudham Koodiyattam, he played the role of Vibhishana with his Guru- Mani Madhava Chakyar (as Ravana). He is an exponent of traditional devotional Koothus and Koodiyattams, such as Anguliyanka, Mattavilasa Prahasana, Mantranka, Ezhamanka ( seventh act of Ascharyachoodamani).
Mani Damodara Chakyar as Kapali in MattavilasamKutiyattam
He has performed Koodiyattam all over India with the great guru Māni Mādhava Chākyār. He has performed both as Nayaka- hero and Vidushaka- court jester in Kudiyattams such as Swapnavasavadattam, Naganandam, Subhadradhananjayam etc. When the great Guru NātyāchāryaMāni Mādhava Chākyār choreographed and directed Kalidasa's Mālavikāgnimitra and Vikramorvaśīya for the first time in the history of Kudiyattam, it was Mani Damodara Chakyar to whom he gave the role of Nayaka. Mani Damodara Chakyar staged Malavikagnimitram and Vikramorvasheeyam at Kalidasa Academy, Ujjain under the guidance of his Guru.
He was the first Koodiyattam student who received scholarship from MHRD New Delhi. Later, both junior and senior fellowships where also awarded to him by the same department. He is the recipient of many prizes from different temples and cultural organisations. Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy honored him with Award for his contributoins to Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam (2000). He has received the Kerala Kalamandalam V S Sharma endowment Award for the year 2007.[1]
