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About
Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, also known as Guru Chemancheri, was a revered Indian Kathakali actor and teacher who dedicated over eighty years to learning, teaching, and performing the classical dance form. Born on June 26, 1916, in Cheliya, Kozhikode district, Kerala, he faced early hardships, losing his mother at age three and his father at thirteen.…
Journey Timeline
1916
Born — Born in Cheliya, Kozhikode district, Kerala.
1931
Began Kathakali training and debut performance — Began training at age 15 and performed his first role as Draupadi.
1943
Set up Bharatiya Nrithya Kalayam — Established Bharatiya Nrithya Kalayam at Kannur.
1945
Established Bharateeya Natya Kalalayam — Founded Bharateeya Natya Kalalayam at Kannur.
1947
Served as Principal — Served as Principal of Bharatheeya Natya Kalalayam at Tellicherry (Thalassery).
1979
Received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Awarded by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
1979
Founded Pookad Kalalayam — Established Pookad Kalalayam.
1983
Established Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam — Founded Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam in Cheliya.
1999
Received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Awarded Fellowship by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
2001
Received Kerala Kalamandalam award — Awarded by Kerala Kalamandalam.
2002
Received Darpanam Natyakulapathi award
2002
Received Kerala Kalamandalam Visishta Kala Seva Award
2009
Received Kalaratnam Award of Kerala Kalamandalam
2017
Awarded Padma Shri — Received the fourth highest civilian honour from the Government of India.
2021
Died — Passed away on March 15, at the age of 104.
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1979 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 1999 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2001 · Kerala Kalamandalam award — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2002 · Darpanam Natyakulapathi award
- 2002 · Kerala Kalamandalam Visishta Kala Seva Award — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2009 · Kalaratnam Award — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2017 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- Mayilpeeli award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
Media Coverage
- Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair (1916:2021): End of an Era
India Art Review
- Kathakali Maestro Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair
Vishnu IAS Academy
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