FAMOUS PEOPLE IN KOTTARAKARA

                     Famous People from Kottarakkara

     *Kottarakkara Thampuran (the King of Kottarakkara in the sixteenth century) was the father of the classical art form of Kathakali. This form of dance drama (which was originally based on stories from the Ramayana and was called Ramanattam), was developed by him to complement Krishnanattam, which had its origin under the Zamorins of Kozhikode 

.*Malayalam novelists Lalithambika Antharjanam, Kakkanadan and writer & hypnotist Johnson Eyeroor were born here

.*The late KP Kottarakkara- Kaippallil Kuttan Pillai known as KP Kottarakkara was a film story writer, director, producer and actor. KP Kottarakkara played a serious part as a freedom fighter and was confined by the British government. Pasamalar written by him was the first Indian movie which was remade into eight different languages. He had written stories for around 87 movies including malayalam, telugu, kannada, Tamil and had produced 59 movies in these languages

.*Vedabhandu (1901–1995), the famous Arya Samaj worker and scholar of Hindu Vedas was born at Trikannamangalam, Kottarakkara. His famous works are Rigweda Pravesika' and Thandava Lakshanam. His original name was Venkidachalam Iyer and he was a Tamil BrahminIyer

 *The late Oyur Kochu Govinda Pillai (1916–2008) was an artiste and a master performer of Kathakali.His character "Hamsam" (the bird character serving as messenger between lovers) very famous.He has taught in many of Kerala's training centers for Kathakali and has to his credit many disciples who later became well known names in Kathakali. Besides sharing his expertise in Kathakali at home, Kochu Govinda Pillai also got an opportunity in 1966 to visit Singapore and train students there for six months. He also toured some of the European countries like the U.K., Holland and Germany to perform Kathakali, while he was a member of the Kathakali troupe of the FACT in 1970.In recognition of his acting prowess and as an outstanding personality in the world of Kathakali, Oyur Kochu Govinda Pillai has been honored on several occasions, and some of the noted ones include the Kerala Kalamandalam Award and the Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award

Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair

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• The late Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair (1922–1986) was one of India's best known actors. He portrayed many historical heroes such as Pazhassi Raja, Velu Thampi Dalawa and Kunhali Marakkar. He is also be remembered for his roles in Chemmeen and Ara Nazhika Neram. The last-mentioned won him the Kerala state award for best actor. He also enacted negative roles with great ease, proving his versatility. His son 'Saikumar' and daughter Sobha are Malayalam film actors. His grandson Vinumohan is also a film actor.

• Veteran Murali (actor) (Bharat Murali)(1954–2009), who was the Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, hails from Kudavettoor near Kottarakara. He has acted in more than 200 Malayalam and a few Tamil movies in a film career that began in the early 80s.Murali, who hails from Kollam, entered Malayalam films after a promising stint in theatre.After finishing his degree in law, he worked in the health department and later at the Kerala University. But acting is what beckoned him, and he quit his job and plunged into a full-time acting career.Murali portrayed several roles. His greatest asset was his voice. Murali had won the Kerala State Film Award for best actor twice and a national award for best actor in 2002 for the film "Neythukaran" directed by Priyanandanan, which also won him his second state best actor award. Some of his other notable films include "Nee Ethra Dhanya", "Dhanam", "The King", "Veeralippattu", "Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu", "Meenamasathile Sooryan", "Swarnam", and "The Truth". His closeness with the Communist Party fo India-Marxist saw him being fielded by the party in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from Alappuzha, but he lost to Congress veteran V.M. Sudheeran.

P A Solomon, Ex Rajya Sabha Member (the first Rajya Sabha from 1956 to 62) is settled at Kottarakkara. He is also a freedom fighter.

• R. Balakrishna Pillai, many times minister, MLA, MP and Panchayat President as well as Chairman of the Kerala Congress (B) is synonymous with Kottarakara. He was born to Keezhoottu Raman Pillai of Valakom who was a big " Zamindar" (landlord)of that area. His sonK. B. Ganesh Kumar, MLA and former Minister , is also a renowned actor. Other MLAs hailing from Kottarakara are Aisha Potti, B.Raghavan and P.C. Vishnunath. Renowned CPI leader E. Chandrashekharan Nair too represented Kottarakkara in the Assembly.

     Prof.John Kurakar