Date:04/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/04/stories/2007040424430400.htm

Kerala

Kathakali exponent dead

Staff Reporter

Thrissur: Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair, Kathakali exponent and former principal of Kerala Kalamandalam, died at his residence in Shoranur on Tuesday. He was 79. He was ailing for a while.

The end came around 1.30 p.m.

Kathakali maestros Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Gopi, former students and staff of Kerala Kalamandalam and hordes of Kathakali lovers visited Mr. Padmanabhan Nair's house to pay their last respects.

Cultural Affairs Minister M.A. Baby had called on the maestro recently to present the State Kathakali Award for 2006.

Mr. Nair is survived by his wife Kalamandalam Satyabhama, dancer and former principal of Kerala Kalamandalam, two sons and two daughters.

The body would be kept at Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy on Wednesday at 8 a.m. for the public to pay homage.

The cremation will be at Pampady at 10 a.m.

Mourned

Our Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram: Cultural Affairs Minister M.A. Baby said that the demise of Padmanabhan Nair, who left his imprint as an actor, teacher and writer, was a big loss to the Kathakali field.

His contributions would always be remembered, the Minister added.