Kalamandalam Nandakumar was born on May 28, 1969. His father is Kuttykrishnan and mother is Dakshayani.

After passing SSLC, he learned Chenda from Kerala Kalamandalam and passed Diploma of 4 years and then passed PG Diploma of 2 years from Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam. Has got Central Govt Scholarship for 2 years and Junior Fellowship for 2 years. Has practiced Chenda under Kalanilayam Kunchunni, Kalamandalam Balaraman and Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan.