Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon Biography 
Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon was a legendary Kathakali artist from Kerala. He is best known for reviving Kalluvazhi tradition of this art form, giving new grammar and dance steps. Thus he is credited to redefining Kathakali art form. He hailed from Vellinezhi of Palakkad district, Kerala. He mastered this art form from a Namboodiri’s Illam (house of Brahmins) in his native village. known for his temperamental behaviour stemming from innocence, Menon was a purist of sorts. He was celebrated for his lead roles in the four Kottayam Thampuran plays during his lifetime on stage. He has many renowned disciples including Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon lived during the period, 1880-1948.
Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon was born in the year 1880 in Vellinezhi of Palakkad district, present Kerala. He was groomed by Kalluvazhi Kuyilthodi Ittirarissa Menon at the very famous Olappamanna Mana (house of Brahmins), where two more students were trained along with him. After the demise of his guru, he became the chief tutor at Olappamanna. By that time he started playing lead roles for Kathakali performances. He was a member of Manjeri Kaliyogam troupe then. Till then he concentrated most on the body movement aspect of Kathakali. But after that he started giving more importance to emotive acting, known by the term Rasabhinaya. He learnt it under the legendary Kunjunni Thampuran who promoted this dance form. He trained from the Kodungallur royal family for 5 years.
It gave rise to Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali which most of the artists follow right now. Well-defined hand gestures, their clinical synchronization with the musical beats and instruments, economy of space while moving the body etc are major characteristics. When Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukanda Raja formed the Kerala Kalamandalam in 1930, Menon was appointed as the first chieftain of the institutional art. Since then Kathakali earned fame and recognition across the globe through the constant efforts made by the administration and artists of the institute. This it marks the beginning of modern history of Kathakali.
Published: September 04, 2018
Updated: September 04, 2018
