Kathakali Maestro Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair

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The Kathakali actor Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair died in Kozhikode, Kerala. He popularized the classical dances in the Kerala state.

Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair

• Background: Born to Chadayankandy Chathukutty Nair and Kinattinkara Kunhamnakutty Amma on June 16, 1916.
• Contribution: He studied at Kalladikkodan school of Kathakali and was specialised in “Kalladikodan” style.
  • Kalladikodan style gives equal importance to the three aspects of nritta (the dance movements in their basic form), nritya (expressional component i.e. mudras or gestures) and natya (the dramatic element of the dance i.e. the imitation of characters).
  • He had his debut performance at Keezhpayur Kuniyil Paradevatha temple in 1930.
  • In 1945, he established his institution Bharateeya Natya Kalalayam at Kannur where he has imparted training in dance.
  • From 1947, he served as Principal of the Bharatheeya Natya Kalalayam at Tellicherry, and from 1973 of the Pokkad Kalalayam at Tellicherry.
• Awards: Honoured with the Padma Shree in 2017 in recognition of his glorious contribution to the art form.
  • Apart from  Padma Shree, he has received various honours for his work including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1979) and the Fellowship of the Academy (1999); the Kerala Kalamandalam Visishta Kala Seva Award (2002); and the Kalaratnam Award of Kerala Kalamandalam (2009).

About Kathakali

• The word Kathakali literally means “Story-Play”. It is one of the eight classical dances of India and originated from Kerala’s shores over 300 years ago.
• It is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics.
• The themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature.  They typically deal with the Mahabarat, the Ramayana and the ancient scriptures known as the Puranas.
• The dancers have large, elaborate makeup and costumes.  The dancer expresses himself through codified hasta mudras and facial expressions, closely following the verses(padams) that are sung.
• Different facial colours are used to indicate different mental stages & character, for example green- nobility, black- wickedness and red patches- combining royalty & evil.

Source- TH