Keezhpatam Kumaran Nair

🪔 About

Keezhpatam Kumaran Nair (1916–2007) was a distinguished Kathakali artist from Vellinezhi, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. He began his Kathakali training at the tender age of five under the tutelage of Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, a grand master of the Kalluvazhi style, at Kanthallur Kalari. He also received training at Kerala Kalamandalam, where he was a classmate of the legendary Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Early in his career, Kumaran Nair moved to Madras (Chennai), where he gained recognition as a master choreographer, teaching dance for Tamil cinema to star Ranjan and collaborating with film icon M.G. Ramachandran. Despite this foray into cinema, he meticulously preserved the classicism of Kathakali. He later returned to Kerala Kalamandalam as a teacher and subsequently taught at several other prominent Kathakali institutions, including PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal, Kalasadanam in Chunangad, Varanakkottu Kaliyogam in Payyannur, Gandhi Seva Sadan (Sadanam Kathakali and Classical Arts Academy) in Peroor, and the International Centre for Kathakali in New Delhi. Kumaran Nair was celebrated for his unique Kathakali style, characterized by a blend of intellect, imagination, and distinctive body language, all while strictly adhering to the art form's pure grammar. He was particularly renowned for portraying heroic characters with 'pacha' (green) faces. His performances of Hanuman in "Kalyana Saugandhika," "Toranayuddham," and "Lavanasura-vadham" were considered masterpieces. He also excelled in roles such as Arjuna in "Santhanagopalam" and Roudra Bheema in "Duryodhanavadham," and notably enacted the demon king Ravana in "Balivijayam" at the age of 78. His deep understanding of the Puranas and his interactions with other Indian classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi enriched his stage presentations. Keezhpatam Kumaran Nair retired from the stage in 2004 and passed away in 2007. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1976), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1988), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (1996), Central Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Kalamandalam award, Padma Shri (2004).