Vellinezhi K. Nanu Nair

🪔 About

Vellinezhi K. Nanu Nair, also known as Vellinezhi K. Nanu Nayar, was a distinguished Indian Kathakali actor born in 1910 in Vellinezhi, a village in the present-day Palakkad district of Kerala, India. He passed away on August 30, 1987, at the age of 76 or 77. His father, Kariyattil Koppan Nair, was a Kathakali practitioner of the 'Kalluvazhi' school, and his mother was Karthyayani Amma. Nanu Nair began his Kathakali training at the age of 11 under his father's guidance at home. Despite being initially rejected by Kerala Kalamandalam, his father continued his training, encouraging him to specialize in Chuvanna Thadi (red beard) roles. While he initially performed female roles, he became particularly associated with the antagonist Chuvanna Thadi characters, representing ferocious roles, from around 1934. He was renowned for his powerful and frightening portrayals, which required significant height, figure, strength, and a forceful voice. He brought a new interpretation to these roles, making characters like Veerabhadran, Kali, Thrigarthan, Kalakeyan, Bakasura, Jarasandha, Dussasana, and Virabhadra memorable and causing Kathakali enthusiasts to view Red Beard roles with fresh eyes. He also excelled in the Karutta Thadi (black beard) category as Kattala and in the Kari (black) group as Nakratundi and Simhika. Throughout his career, Nanu Nair was a member of prominent Kathakali performance groups such as Manakulam Kaliyogam (1931), Vaachali Kittan (1931–32), and Karamvalli Kalivattom (1934–35). He traveled extensively, both within India and internationally, performing with Kerala Kalamandalam and other troupes. Beyond performing, he dedicated himself to teaching, serving as a Kathakali teacher at Vellinezhi High School from 1950 until his retirement in 1970. In recognition of his profound contributions to Indian classical dance, he was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Government of India in 1973. His legacy continues through the Vellinezhi Nanu Nair Smaraka Kalakendram, an institution founded in his home village on September 9, 2001, to preserve his memory and promote the classical performing art forms of Kerala. The center provides training in Kathakali acting, music, chenda, maddalam, chutti (makeup), classical dance, and Panchavadyam. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1973).