Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, who died on Monday was the greatest proponent of ‘kalluvazhi chitta’, a school of kathakali formulated by Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon.
According to his disciple Kalamandalam Gopi, the ‘chitta’ popularised by Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair later evolved into ‘Kalamandalam style or school’.
He was popular for his ‘kathi’ (villain) and vellathadi (Hanuman) characters, for which he received global appreciation from lovers of the art form.
His dignified movements on the stage underscored the magnificence of the of the ‘kalluvazhi chitta’.
He never compromised as an artiste and always believed that one should have a devotional approach towards the art form, he said.
Mostly associated with characters with ‘kathi’ makeup which represents the egoistic qualities in a character, the appearance of the tip of the head-gear (kiritam) of his ‘vesham’ was said to have had an impact on the audience.
His Hanuman in ‘Kalyanasoughandhigam’, ‘Thoranayudham’ and ‘Lavanasuravadham’ are considered to be the best among his stage performances.