Kozhikode, Mar 15 : Veteran Kathakali artist Guru Chemamcheri Kunhiraman Nair, died at his residence in nearby Cheliya early Today. He was 105.

A master performer, mentor and teacher, the centenarian artist, had a glorious tradition of nine decades of splendid performance.

Begun at an early age of 14, age has never been a barrier for the veteran artist who had a relentless journey with his specialisation in “Kalladikode” style in Kathakali.

Gurs’ most admired “vesham” (role) was when he appeared on stage as Lord Krishna.

He founded the Bharatiya Nstyakalalayam in 1945 and later established the Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam in his hometown in 1983.

The Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi awarded Guru in 1977 and later honored him with a fellowship in 1999.

In 2001, Krrala Kalamandalam presented him the Kalamandalam award for special contributions to art in 2001. He received the Darpanam Natya Kulapathi award in 2002 and was bestowed with the Mayilpeeli award in 2002. In recognition of his glorious contribution to the art form, he was honored with Padmashree in the year 2017.(UNI)