Kathakali artist Ramankutti nair passed away
The doyen of Kathakali, Padma bhooshan Kalamandalam Ramankutti Nair (88) passed away at his house at Vellinezhi near Palakkad on Monday. He got trained under the legendary mentor of Kathakali Pattikkanthodi Ravunni Menon, who developed the famous Kalluvazhi chitta school of Kathakali. Ramankutti Nair strictly followed this.Ramankutti Nair became a teacher in Kalamandalam and later its Principal. After retirement also he was working there as a visiting Professor. He was considered as an exponent of 'Katthi Vesham' (negative heroes) in Kathakali. In the beginning he became famous for the role of 'Parasurama' in 'Sita Swayamvaram'.
He received several honours including the Padma bhooshan (2007). When Kerala Government instituted an award for Kathakali it went to him. Kendra Sangeetha nataka akademy award, Kalamandalam special award, Kerala Sangeetha nataka akademy award, Kalidasa Samman of Madhya pradesh, Kalamandalam fellowship, Narthaka chakravarthy award, Kalaratnam award, Mumbai Sri Guruvayurappan puraskaram and Kendra Sangeetha nataka akademy Ratna award are some other major awards received by him. Cochin University of Science and Technology had awarded honorary Doctorate to Ramankutti Nair.