Kalamandalam Harinarayanan was born in 1951 in Vellinezhi, Palakkad. Mother Lakshmikutty Varasyar and father Achuthavarrier (dancer). He started practising maddalam in Vellinezhi Highschool itself under T.T. Damodaran Nair. Then in 1966 joined Kalamandalam studied under Appukkutty Pothuval and Narayanan Nambissan and completed cource in 1970.

Later he studied under Kulamangath Narayan Nair and in 1971 joined Guruvayoor Devaswom Krishnanattam. Now he is the main teacher of Sudha Maddalam section there.

Has travelled in Europe with Krishnanattam and also Srilanka. Has received awards - Manavedan memorial from Guruvayoor Devaswom and M.S.Namboothiri memorial from Iringalakkuda Kathakali Club.

His brothers Kottakkal Murali, Kottakkal Ramachandran, Gireesan all are artists. Sister Vasanthi is a dance artist. Wife is Indira and daughters Dhanya and Krishna.

His performances in different fields Krishnanattam, Kathakali and Panchavadyam are excellent.