Guru Chengannur (1974)

This biographical documentary film delves into the life of Guru Chengannur Raman Pillai, who is hailed as the greatest living exponent of Kathakali, a traditional Indian dance form that is famous in Kerala. He was born in Chengannur, a village in Kerala in 1884. He received his early training under Thakazi Kesava Panikkar and Ambalapouza Kunjukrishna Panikkar. Chengannur's figure and face were such that all his roles were endowed with striking beauty. In later years, Guru Chengannur took a teaching and is credited with training generations of great Kathakali artistes in his lifetime. He received the most coveted awards in India, including the Sangit Natak Akademy Award (1964), and Padmashree (1971). At the age of 42, he was made a member of the Royal Kathakali Troupe maintained by the Maharaja of Travancore.