Guru Kunchu Kurup (1880-1972) was born in Poypallilkulam family of Thakazhi village of Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. He was the first artist to get the 'Indian national award' for Kathakali (a form of Indian dance-drama). He was honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards (the highest award for an artist in India). He was the master-mind in creating fresh aesthetics of Kathakali acting/dancing, by the sublime presentation of rasa and bhava abhinaya. Wikipedia
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