Kerala’s most famous Koodiyattom and Nangiarkoothu artiste Margi Sathi died on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram. The 50-year old performer had been undergoing treatment for tumour at the Regional Cancer Centre.

The performer was introduced to Koodiyattom , the 2000-year old ancient temple art form at the age of 11. She broke all the barriers and had become the prominent face in classical Koodiyattom theatre.

She has performed in many countries including France, Spain, US and Germany, and also at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in October 2001 before a specially invited audience of over 500 and they have declared Koodiyattom a world heritage art.

She has received Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy award (2002), Kaladarpana award (2008) and Natyarathna Puraskaram (2008) for her contributions.

Expressing condolences over Sathi's demise, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy  tweeted that Margi Sathi's contributions to Kerala's classical art forms Nangiarkoothu, Koodiyattom will be celebrated forever.