Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair
Kathakali Performer
75+
Years of Experience
2+
Students Taught
1
Followers
❖ Guru Parampara ❖
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Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair (1928–2007) was an eminent Indian Kathakali exponent, renowned for his multifaceted contributions as a performer, tutor, theoretician, and author. Born on October 7, 1928, in Kuruvattoor, near Vellinezhi in Palakkad district, Kerala, he was the son of the legendary Kathakali guru Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon. Padmanabhan Nair…
Journey Timeline
1928
Born — Born in Kuruvattoor, Palakkad district, Kerala.
1938
Began Kathakali training — Joined Kerala Kalamandalam at age 10, training under his father Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon.
1951
Appointed Kathakali tutor — Joined the faculty of Kerala Kalamandalam as a tutor.
1979
Received Kalamandalam Award — First recipient of the Kalamandalam award for Kathakali.
1980
Published 'Kathakali Vesham' — Authored the first volume of his seminal work on Kathakali acting.
1985
Became Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam
1990
Retired as Principal — Retired from Kerala Kalamandalam.
1991
Received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award
1994
Received Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
2000
Published 'Cholliyattam' — Authored his two-volume work on Kathakali grammar and aesthetics.
2004
Received Odakkuzhal Award — Awarded for his Malayalam literature work 'Natyachariante Jeevithamudrakal'.
2006
Received Kathakali Purasakaram — Awarded by the Government of Kerala.
2007
Died — Passed away at his residence in Shoranur, Kerala.
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Awards & Honors
- 1994 · Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1991 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2006 · Kathakali Purasakaram — Government of Kerala
- 2004 · Odakkuzhal Award
- 1979 · Kalamandalam Award — Kerala Kalamandalam
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