Ramankutty Nair, Actor
Actor

Ramankutty Nair

Born 25 May 1925 · Kerala — Died 11 March 2013

Performed and popularized Kathakali for over seven decades, preserving Kerala's classical dance-drama tradition.

Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair was a performer of Kathakali, who practiced the Kerala art form for more than seven decades.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Ramankutty Nair designed the costume for the Kathakali role of Parasurama himself, a rare instance of an artist personally crafting such an essential element of the performance.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1925, Ramankutty Nair was born in the small village of Vellinezhi in Kerala, a place that would later be known as a cradle for Kathakali artists, despite his family having no prior connection to the art.
2
Under the tutelage of Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, his sole guru and a resident tutor at Olappamanna Mana, Ramankutty Nair immersed himself in Kathakali, mastering the craft at Kerala Kalamandalam where he later became principal until 1985.
3🎭 Known for embodying complex characters, he brought to life roles like Ravana in 'Thoranayudham' and Narakasura in 'Narakasuravadham', even designing the elaborate costume for Parasurama in 'Seethaswayamvaram'.
4Between his retirement and his later years, Ramankutty Nair chaired Gandhi Seva Sadan (Sadanam Kathakali Akademi), extending his influence beyond performance into Kathakali education and preservation.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 2005, filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan made a documentary titled 'Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair' that not only profiles the artist but also traces Kathakali’s evolution in the twentieth century.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Ramankutty Nair performing as Hanuman during a Malayalam cultural event (2007).
Ramankutty Nair performing as Hanuman during a Malayalam cultural event (2007).
2007
Ramankutty Nair at the 60th birthday celebration of Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan in Guruvayoor (2011).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Vellinezhi, Kerala
Ramankutty Nair was born in Vellinezhi, a village later famed for Kathakali artists, though his family had no prior Kathakali background.
1925
📚
Education
Began training under Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon
Ramankutty Nair started his Kathakali training exclusively under his guru Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, a resident tutor at Olappamanna Mana.
c.1940
⚡
Career
Retired as principal of Kerala Kalamandalam
After decades of service, Ramankutty Nair retired as principal of the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam, shaping the institution’s legacy.
1985
🏅
Award
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
Ramankutty Nair was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, recognizing his lifetime contribution to Indian classical arts.
2004
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan by Government of India
He received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, for his contributions to Kathakali and Indian arts.
2007
🏅
Award
Honorary doctorate from Cochin University
Cochin University of Science and Technology awarded Ramankutty Nair an honorary doctorate recognizing his artistic and educational impact.
2010
🕊️
Death
Death at age 87
Ramankutty Nair passed away in his hometown of Vellinezhi, closing a chapter on over seventy years of Kathakali mastery.
2013
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite a career spanning over seventy years, Ramankutty Nair had only one guru, Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, highlighting a deeply focused lineage of training uncommon in Kathakali.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Ramankutty Nair celebrated his 84th birthday, his 'satabhishekam', in 2009 with public fanfare in Cherpulassery, reflecting his status as a living cultural icon in Kerala.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He remained an active performer until the age of 85, a rarity in the physically demanding art of Kathakali, performing roles across India and internationally.

No quote recorded for Ramankutty Nair yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
In Memoriam Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair (Kathakali)ആദരാഞ്ജലികള്‍ Part 1

🌱 What changed because of them

Ramankutty Nair transformed Kerala Kalamandalam by nurturing a new generation of Kathakali performers including legends like Kalamandalam Gopi, solidifying Vellinezhi’s reputation as a Kathakali hub. His leadership roles at Kerala Kalamandalam and Gandhi Seva Sadan ensured Kathakali's rigorous teaching methods endured, influencing both traditional performances and global appreciation of the art form.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about Ramankutty Nair?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of Ramankutty Nair...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?