He is a recipient of
Padma Shri,
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award,
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, and
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship. A native of
Cheruthazham in Payyanur Taluk of Kannur district in North Malabar, Kerala he was initiated into Kathakali in his early teenage years under the tutelage of Guru Chandu Panikker. By 19, he was noticed by
Kerala Kalamandalam co-founder, poet
Vallathol Narayana Menon, who inducted Krishnan Nair into his institute, then near Mulankunnathukavu, north of
Thrissur in central Keralawhere that Krishnan Nair trained under
Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, Thakazhi
Kunchu Kurup,
Kavalappara Narayanan Nair and
Mani Madhava Chakyar. Krishnan Nair had his higher studies on
Rasa-abhinaya (facial emotions which stressed on eye exercises) from the
Kudiyattam maestro Natyacharya
Māni Mādhava Chākyār, who too won the Padma Shri. Krishnan Nair was deeply influenced by Shri. Chakyar. Krishnan Nair, towards the second half of his life, had made
Tripunithura near
Kochi his home. Kathakali was always traditionally performed by men. In 1975 a women's group was formed and they were trained by Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. The
Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe went on to national recognition. Krishnan Nair died on 15 August 1990, aged 76. == See also ==