Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Kathakali exponent |
Spouse | Leela |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Vasu Pillai, Gomathiamma |
Awards | Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Gurupooja award |
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]
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] Then 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 noted Kathakali artists like Karipra Vasu Pillai, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi and Sadanam Krishnan Kutty. [3] He expertise is in Thadi role in the Kathakali. [3] In his autobiography, Unnithan recalls that one of his mentors, Sri 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]
He and his wife Sreekumari have three children. [3]