Chenganoor Raman Pillai, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetChenganoor Raman Pillai
Indian actor
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Pandanad, Kerala, India
About Chenganoor Raman Pillai
- Guru Chenganoor Raman Pillai, also spelt Chengannur Raman Pillai (1886–1980), was a celebrated Kathakali artist from Kerala in south India.
- He was known for his brilliant portrayal of the anti-heroic Kathi roles on stage, and was the head of palace kathakali yogam to the Travancore Maharaja in a career spanning almost 65 years. Raman Pillai, born in Chenganoor on 16 January 1886, was a specialist in the Kathakali southern style called Kapplingad, which gives prominence to abhinaya (acting).
- He wrote Thekkan Chittayilulla Abhyasa Kramangal, considered one of the major training manuals on southern-style Kathakali. He was a disciple of Thakazhi Kesava Panikker, Mathur Kunhupilla Panikker and Ambalappuzha Kunhikrishna Panikker.
- Another Kathakali master, Chennthala Kochupillai Panikker, helped him to gain popularity in his art. Raman Pillai had his masterpieces in roles like Duryodhanan, Ravanan and Keechakan, Jarasandhan, Banan and Kamsan.
- He also performed as Hanuman, Hamsam and the black-bearded Kaatalan (woodsman). Raman Pillai's leading disciples include Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Haripad Ramakrishna Pillai and Mankompu Sivasankara Pillai, Guru Gopinath, Chennithala Chellappan Pillai.
- They all studied under him as per the Gurukula system. The documentary film Chenganoor Raman Pillai profiles his life and contributions.
- He died on 11 November 1980.
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