Maha Kathakali Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair

Sarath Krishna

The classical dance Kathakali is more than 400 years old. Guru Chemancheri has contributed to Kathakali and living in it for last 100 years. Kunhiraman asan is 103 years ‘young’ now. Guru was born on june 26, 1916 at Koyilandi in Kozhikode, India. The senior most artist in the country now, Guru is a skilled dancer in Bharathanatyam and Kathakali. After independence, Chemancheri shifted his spotlight from Kathakali to Dance. In 1942, Guru started Bharatiya nritya kalalaya in Kannur, India. Name of his guru is Karunakara menon.

Kalamandalam Gopi with Guru Chemancheri	With thidambu nritham exponent Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri	Actor Vineeth with Guru Chemancheri

Guru has enriched art traditions in northern kerala. After 1950s, Guru has presented thousands of musical dramas in kerala state. Guru started many dance institutes in Cannanore and Telichery. 30 yrs back, Guru has started a kathakali vidyalaya in his local town Cheliya and is now active in giving instructions to young artists and kathakali students. Guru is accepted to be the last link of kalladikodan saili in kathakali.