Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri or Nelliyod Vasudevan Namboodiri (5 February 1940 – 2 August 2021)[1] was a Kathakali artiste, noted primarily for his vibrant portrayal of the evil chuvanna thaadi ("red beard") roles of the classical Kathakali dance-drama from Kerala in south India.

He joined the PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal in 1957 and received training in Kathakali largely under Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair of the tradition.

[2] After a teaching stint in Kerala Kalamandalam,[3] he joined as a Kathakali teacher at the Central High School in Thiruvananthapuram.

[5] In Kathakali, Nelliyode is primarily famous for his playing cruel characters like Kali Nalacharitham, Trigartan, Dushasanan, Bakan,[6] and Veerabhadran.

Possessing deep knowledge in Sanskrit and the Hindu Puranas,[2] Nelliyode was also capable of presenting Patakam, a classical temple art requiring skills in oratory,[8] and has played the role of the Fool in a production of King Lear.