Kavungal Chathunni Panicker

[2] He is known to have brought innovations to the dance form, especially in the decorative movements (kalasam)[3] and his contributions are reported in the development of grammar and costumes for the Kavungal School.

[6] Secondary characters were criticised often by Kathakali scholars, they attained the significance of perfected lead roles when Chathunni Panicker handled them, writes K. P. S. Menon, renowned art historian.

[7] Kavungal Chathunni Panicker was born in 1922 in the small hamlet of Thichur, near Vadakkancherry in Thrissur district in the South Indian state of Kerala.

[8][9] He started learning Kathakali in 1933, at the age of eleven, under the tutelage of Sankara Panicker, his uncle, where he stayed for three years and later under Katambur Gopalan Nair.

[2][10][11] Chathunni Panicker died on 29 November 2007, succumbing to illnesses that dogged him for three months, at a hospital in Erumapetty, near his native village of Thichur, leaving his wife, their two children[1][2][10] and many of his disciples.