Inchakkattu Ramachandran Pillai

🪔 About

Inchakkattu Ramachandran Pillai is a highly esteemed Indian Kathakali actor, recognized as one of the finest living exponents of the Southern school of Kathakali. Born on March 21, 1949, in Sasthamcotta village of Kollam district, Kerala, to Shankaran Nair and Chellamma, he dedicated his life to the art form. Pillai began his Kathakali studies under Keerikattu Karuta Shankara Pillai and made his debut as Rukmini in Sundariswayamvaram Kathakali. He later joined Brahmasree Mankulam Vishnu Namboothiri's Samastha Kerala Kathakali Vidyalaya, completing his studies in 1971. He is considered a brilliant student who assimilated the distinctive features of his guru, Mankulam Vishnu Namboodiri, a doyen of the southern school of Kathakali. Pillai's career includes a temporary appointment as a teacher in the Southern Kalari of Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam. In 1971, he assisted Mankulam Vishnu Namboothiri at Margi, an institution dedicated to the revival of Kathakali and Koodiyattam, where he served as chief instructor in Kathakali, principal, and later as a visiting professor. He is known for his adroitness in displaying Mudras and his inspired demonstration of various Rasas. Ramachandran Pillai performs all roles except for female and Chuvanna Thadi (red beard) characters, and is particularly exemplary in presenting characters like Pacha (green), Kathi (knife), Vella Thaadi (white beard), and Minukku (radiant). His notable portrayals include Duryodhanan, Ravanan, Hanuman, and Banan. He has performed extensively across India and internationally in countries such as Sri Lanka, Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Tunisia, and Switzerland. In March 2023, Pillai announced his plans to retire from Kathakali performances due to health issues, with his final performance scheduled for April 23, 2023, at the Subhananda Ashram in Mavelikkara, where he intends to lead a monastic life. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2021), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (2020), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2011), Kumar Gandharva Fellowship, HRD Senior Fellowship.