Thonnakkal Peethambaran

Peethambaran was born on 2 December 1939, at Vilayil house in Thonnakkal, Chirayinkeezhu taluk in present-day Thiruvananthapuram District to ayurvedic physician P. Ramakrishnan Vaidyan and G. Thankamma.^[1] Pirappankode Kunjan Pillai was his first Guru. After studying for a while under Oyur Kochugovinda Pillai, he joined Tripunithura RLV college.^[1] His achievements as a Kathakali actor are due to the sincere discipline of Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair.^[1]

An expert in both Pacha and Kathi roles in kathakali, his Kathi roles as Duryodhana, Kichaka and Ravana characters in the stories of Duryodhana Vadham, Uttarasvayamvaram and Nizhal kuthu are famous.^[1] He has performed in many stages in India and also in foreign countries like Italy, Rome, France, England, Iran and Spain and has participated in the Edinburgh Festival.^[2] He directed and performed in Veluthampi Dalava aattakatha written by K. N. Gopala Pillai.^[2] Peethambaran also served as the Founder Secretary of Kollam Kathakali Club and President of the All Kerala Kathakali Club.^[2]

He lives in his house Nishidam at Kottiyam, Kollam district.^[1]

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2011^[3]
• Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2003^[4]
• Kerala state kathakali award 2014^[2]
• First Kathakali Shresthacharya Award^[5]
• Chennithala Chellappan Pillai Award 2012^[1]