Veteran Kathakali artiste, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, died in a hospital near here, family sources said.

Nair (93) had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia for the last few days.

He is survived by wife and eight children.

A true classicist, Nair had depicted roles of a variety of mythological characters in Kathakali theatre in a career spanning over several decades.

He had taught Kathakali in Kerala Kalamandalam, the school for classical arts set up by poet Vallathol Narayana Menon.

Nair also made a mark as dance director in films, especially in Tamil by composing several well-remebered choreographic sequences in the early 1950s.

Nair also did a role in the Mohanlal-starrer 'Vanaprastham,' which portrayed the life of a Kathakali artiste.

He was a recipient of the Padmashree award

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