Painkulam Raman Chakyar Biography 
Painkulam Raman Chakyar, also known as Ramanchakyar was one of the leading exponents of Indian classical dance form - Chakyar Koothu and the traditional dance drama - Koodiyattam. He was born as Raman Koypamahttam Chakyar in Painkulam of present-day Thrissur district. Chakyar was a distinguished artiste in Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam, besides being a master of ‘Vachikabhinaya’ in both these performing arts. An accomplished teacher and scholar, he was a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1980. He performed on stage since 1925 and remains a great legend in performing arts from Kerala. He has done more than 1000 stage appearances in different roles.
He was born in 1905 as Raman Koypamahttam Chakyar in Painkulam village of Kerala in present-day Thrissur district. As a performing artist, he delivered his first performance in 1925 and since then has given over a 1000 stage appearances throughout his professional journey. He has also choreographed and staged many performances. Bhagavadajjukam of Bodhayana, Second act of Sakunthalam, third act of Nagananda and Jadayuvadhanam in Ascharyachoodamani can be included among his productions. He was regular in programmes in various temples and religious places spread all over the state, and earned fame among the contemporaries in the pre-independent era.
Since 1980 he mentored many foreign students and taught them Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam as a part of promoting both these surviving art forms globally. He is credited to bringing the temple art Koodiyattom outside the premises of temples for the first time. He had directed, supervised and appeared in more than 100 Koodiyattam plays. He was a regular participant in the All India Radio programmes also.
A colour documentary film on Koodiyattam, in 1974 was made under his guidance. When Koodiyattom was introduced to Kerala Kalamandalam as a part of academics, he became its first teacher, and the legendary Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri was one among his first two students to learn under him.
Published: September 08, 2018
Updated: September 08, 2018
