He was a visiting professor at Margi, an organization dedicated to the revival of Kathakali and Kutiyattom, two classical art forms of Kerala.

[1] Aasan is a documentary film made on the musical life of the Kathakali of Kalamandalam Gangadhran directed by Ratheesh.

[citation needed] He was also trained under the great Kathakali musician Mundaya Venkita Krishna Bhagavathar for three months.

[citation needed] During his lifetime, he performed and showcased many kathakali presentations all over Kerala, and many foreign countries including Japan, America, Australia, China, Fiji, Indonesia and Iran.

[citation needed] In 2006, Kalamandalam Gandharan received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award[3] from the then-President of India, A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.