Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair (1925 – 2013) was a legendary Indian classical dancer, widely recognized as a titan in the world of Kathakali, the traditional dance-drama of Kerala. Born on May 25, 1925, in Vellinezhi, Palakkad district, Kerala, he hailed from a family with no prior Kathakali pedigree but was drawn to the art form early in life. He received his training from the renowned guru Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, who remained his sole teacher throughout his illustrious career, instilling in him the purity and discipline of the 'Kalluvazhi' style of Kathakali. Ramankutty Nair dedicated over seven decades to performing and teaching Kathakali. He joined Kerala Kalamandalam, the premier institution for classical arts, where he not only mastered the art but also served as a faculty member and eventually became its principal, retiring in 1985. He was known for his precise body movements and adherence to classicism. While he excelled in various roles, he was particularly celebrated for his portrayal of anti-hero 'Kathi' characters such as Ravana, Duryodhana, and Keechaka, as well as the monkey-god Hanuman and sage Parasurama. In his later years, he also served as the chairman of Gandhi Seva Sadan, also known as Sadanam Kathakali Akademi. His contributions to Kathakali were widely recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1974, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 1985, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2004. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, in 2007. He also received an honorary doctorate from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 2010. Ramankutty Nair authored his autobiography, 'Thiranottam,' in 1995, and renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan made a documentary on his life. He remained active as an artist until the age of 85, performing across India and internationally. Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair passed away on March 11, 2013, at the age of 87. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1974), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1985), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2004), Padma Bhushan (2007), Honorary doctorate (2010).