Guru Chengannur Raman Pillai, the greatest living exponent of Kathakali was born in Chengannur, a village in Kerala in 1884. He received his early training under Thakazi Kesava Panikkar and Ambalapouza Kunju Krishna Panikkar. Chengannur's figure and face were such that all his roles were endowed with striking beauty. Guru Chengannur has trained 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 amember of the Royal Kathakali Troupe maintained by the Maharaja of Travancore.