Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan is a Kathakali exponent from Kerala, India. He received several awards including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2016. His biography titled Kachaiyum Mizhukkum was published in 2015.[1]

Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan
Unnithan in female kathakali costume
Born (1951-03-08) 8 March 1951 (age 73)
NationalityIndian
OccupationKathakali exponent
SpouseLeela
Children3
Parent(s)Vasu Pillai, Gomathiamma
AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Gurupooja award

Biography

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Ramachandran Unnithan was born on 1951 March 8, at Ezhukon Placott House in Kottarakkara, Kollam district, to Vasu Pillai and Gomatiamma.[2] Karithra Vasupillai taught him the basics of Kathakali.[2] He studied Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam from 1962 to 1975 and passed the 6 year Diploma and 2 year Post Graduate Diploma.[3][4] In Kalamandalam Unnithan studied Kathakali under Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi and Sadanam Krishnan Kutty.[3] He is an exit in the Thadi role in the Kathakali.[3] In his autobiography Unnithan said that one of his mentors, Sadanam Krishnan Kutty, advised him to focus on role of Thadi.[2] His most popular roles are Mannan in Lavanasuravadham (Ramayana) and Bharata Malayan in Nizhal kuth (Mahabharata).[1]

He lives in Vettikattiri in Thrissur district.[3]

Family

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He and his wife Sreekumari have three children.[3]

Awards and honors

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  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2016[4]
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Gurupooja award 2006[5]
  • HRD Fellowship[3]
  • Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon Award[2]
  • Kalamandalam Hyderali memorial Kathakali award instituted by the Vendar Subrahmania Swamy temple advisory committee.[6]
  • He has won many local awards such as awards from Kollam Kathakali Club, Kottayam Kaliyarang, Alappuzha Kathakali Club, Alappuzha Kalakshetram and Bombay Keli.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Krishnan, Lalithaa (29 October 2015). "In his own performance space". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Raveendranath, Purushothaman. "ക്രൂരനല്ല സാധുവത്രെ ചാരുരൂപൻ." aswadanam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Kathakali Artists - Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan". www.cyberkerala.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b "കലാമണ്ഡലം രാമചന്ദ്രന്‍ ഉണ്ണിത്താന് കേന്ദ്ര സംഗീതനാടക അക്കാദമി അവാര്‍ഡ്‌". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  5. ^ "ഗുരുപൂജ". www.keralaculture.org (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Bags Kalamandalam Hyderali award". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.