Guru Kelu Nair

🪔 About

Guru Kelu Nair was a highly esteemed Indian classical dance artist and teacher, renowned for his profound contributions to Kathakali. Born on June 9, 1918, in Killikkurissimangalam, Kerala, to Mangili Kunjikkutti Amma and Pariyarat Kittunni Nair, he began his Kathakali training at a young age. He received his initial instruction at Koppatt Appunni Pothuval's kalari in Killikkurissimangalam. His rigorous education continued at Kerala Kalamandalam, where he was among the first batch of students. There, he honed his skills under the tutelage of eminent gurus such as Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, Guru Kunchu Kurup, 'Ashari' Koppan Nair, and Guru Kavalappara Narayanan Nair. Guru Kelu Nair further specialized in Rasa-abhinaya, the art of emotional expression, under the maestro Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar. Throughout his career, Guru Kelu Nair distinguished himself as a versatile performer, excelling in a wide array of Kathakali roles, including Keechakan, Bheeman in Duryodhana Vadham, and Poothana in Poothana Moksham. His portrayal of Poothana was particularly lauded by the poet Vallathol. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1936, when Rabindranath Tagore invited him to establish the first Kathakali curriculum at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. In the absence of traditional Kathakali accompanists, he innovatively composed Kathakali dance in Rabindra Nritya. He remained a dedicated faculty member at Santiniketan until Tagore's passing in 1941. His significant teaching legacy includes training notable figures like Mrinalini Sarabhai, Rukmini Devi Arundale, Yog Sunder Desai, and Kripalini Nandalal, Tagore's granddaughter. For his outstanding contributions to Kathakali, Guru Kelu Nair was honored with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 1992. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1992).