Sree Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair was born on 25th May 1925 at Vellinezhi a remote village of central Kerala. His father was Oppath Narayanan Nair and mother was Thenginthottathil Kunhumalu Amma.
After primary education, Ramankutty Nair joined the “GURUKULAM” of the greatest exponent of Kathakali in central Kerala Pattakkimthodi Ravunni Menon. The training was in Vellinezhi, adjacent to the home village of Ramankutty Nair. At the age of 13, he became a student of Kathakali at the Kerala Kalamandalam founded by poet laureate Vallathol Narayana Menon. Here again, Ravunni Menon was his principal teacher. For 11 years Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair received intensive training in the theory and practical side of Kathakali. He was able to perfect his body for Kathakali language under this intensive training. Being his favorite disciple, Ramankutty Nair took up the task of preserving these remarkable characteristics in his prolonged career as Guru and performer. Ramankutty Nair represents the strength of tradition and aesthetic sense of Kathakali. The visual grammar of Kathakali finds its true expression in the Kalari (classroom) and performance of this genius.
Sree, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair was an invincible present at Kalamndalam for almost half a century. He retired in 1985 as principal of this internationally acclaimed institution. He led Kathakali troupe of Kalamandalam for a quarter century in the International Dance Theater Festivals held in different parts of Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Latin American countries. His roles of Ravana, Duryodhana, Keechaka, Hanuman and Shishupala are one of the incredible appreciations from art-lovers all over the world. Ramankutty Nair composed a new character, Parusurama which he himself could establish as one among few popular stories in Kathakali. His unfalling sense of rhythm, depth and power of highly stylized dance in character-enhancement is the pride of the present day Kathakali. At present,Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair is the senior most Kathakali artist and none before him received any distinguished awards from the nation and different organizations. He published autobiography in 1993 with its title THIRANOTTAM. This book has been recognized by the University of Calicut as its Malayalam text. Presently, almost all Kathakali artists are his disciples, including, Kalamandalam Gopi.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions to Kathakali,
Sree, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair received the following awards:
Sree, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair was an invincible present at Kalamndalam for almost half a century. He retired in 1985 as principal of this internationally acclaimed institution. He led Kathakali troupe of Kalamandalam for a quarter century in the International Dance Theater Festivals held in different parts of Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Latin American countries. His roles of Ravana, Duryodhana, Keechaka, Hanuman and Shishupala are one of the incredible appreciations from art-lovers all over the world. Ramankutty Nair composed a new character, Parusurama which he himself could establish as one among few popular stories in Kathakali. His unfalling sense of rhythm, depth and power of highly stylized dance in character-enhancement is the pride of the present day Kathakali. At present,Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair is the senior most Kathakali artist and none before him received any distinguished awards from the nation and different organizations. He published autobiography in 1993 with its title THIRANOTTAM. This book has been recognized by the University of Calicut as its Malayalam text. Presently, almost all Kathakali artists are his disciples, including, Kalamandalam Gopi.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions to Kathakali,
Sree, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair received the following awards:
1.Central Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award in 1975 received from President of India.
2.Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award in 1987.
3.Kalamndalam Special Award in 1984 and Fellowship in 1998.
4.Kalidas Samman from Madhya Pradesh government in 1994.
5.First artist to receive Emeritus fellowship from HRD (Government of India) in 1999.
6.First Kathakali artist to receive Kathakali Puraskar from Government of Kerala in 2000.
7.Narthaka Chakravarthi in 2003.
8.Kalarathnam from Bombay in 2003.
9.Sri. Guruvayoorappan Puraskar in 2004.
10.Central Sangeetha Nataka Academy Ratna in 2004 (received from President of India).
11.Padmabhooshan in 2007 (received from President of India).
12.Honner in D Lit in 2010(Doctorate given by CUSAT)
For More Log on to-https://www.facebook.com/kalamandalamramankuttynair
For More Log on to-https://www.facebook.com/kalamandalamramankuttynair
