Tirur Nambissan

1942

Born — Born as Narayanan Nambissan at Tirur in Malappuram district, Kerala.

Age 7

Began music lessons — Started learning music from N.K. Vasudeva Panikkar.

Before age 15

Family tragedies — Experienced the deaths of his mother, three brothers, father, and the suicide of his younger sister.

1960

Stage debut — Debuted on stage as a vocalist.

Undated

Joined Kerala Kalamandalam — Received training in Kathakali music under Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan, Sivaraman Nair, and Kavungal Madhava Panikkar.

During course

Performed as 'ponnani' — Performed as a main singer for Parassini Kaliyogam during his second year at Kalamandalam.

1965

Completed training — Graduated from Kerala Kalamandalam after an eight-year course with first-class honors.

Undated

Main singer for Parassikkadavu Muthappan Kathakali Yogam — Served as the main singer for a long period.

Undated

Teaching stints — Worked as a music teacher at Perur Gandhi Sevasadan, International Kathakali Centre New Delhi, Unnayivariyer Smaraka Kalanilayam Irinjalakkuda, Parassini Kaliyogam, Peringode Kathakali Promotion Society, and Kerala Kalamandalam.

1980-1983

Staffer at Poomulli Mana's Kathakali school — Worked at the Kathakali school run by Poomulli Mana for three years.

1980s

Vocalist pair with Unnikrishna Kurup — Formed a successful vocal duo with Unnikrishna Kurup on the Kathakali stage.

August 8, 1994

Last performance — Performed his last Kathakali concert.

August 10, 1994

Death — Died from a brain haemorrhage at the age of 54.