Chenganoor Raman Pillai

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Guru Chenganoor Raman Pillai (January 16, 1886 – November 11, 1980) was an Indian entertainer. He was a Kathakali celebrity in Kerala and palace dancer to the Travancore Maharaja, in a career spanning almost 65 years.

He was a master of Kathakali, specializing in the southern style, which gives prominence to abhinaya acting. His book on the southern style known as kaplingadan style is still considered the manual in kathakali training. Thakazhi Kesava Panikker, Mathur Kunju Pilla Panikker, and Ambalappuzha Kunju Krishna Panikker were his gurus. Another great Kathakali master Sri.Chennthala Kochupillai Panikker very much helped Sri.RamanPillai for his popularity. He had an unusual ability to bring characters such as demon Duryodhana to life. The beauty of the hand gestures and the perfection of Kalasams made him the top Kathakaki artist of his time. Sri.Harippad Ramakrishna Pillai,Sri.Mankombu Siva Sankara Pillai, Sri. Chennithala Chellappan Pillai and Sri.Madavur Vasudevan Nair learned Kathakali under Sri.Guru Chengannur as per Gurukula Sampradayam.

Jarasandhan in Rajasooyam, Keechakan, Ravanan, Hanuman, Hamsam , Kattalan were his famous roles in Kathakali.