KALAMANDALAM KOMBIL GOPALAN VASUDEVAN NAIR
Akademi Award: Kathakali

Born in 1937 in Keerikkat village in Kerala, Kalamandalam Kombil Gopalan Vasudevan Nair received his initial training in Kathakali under several Asans including Evoor Raghavan Pillai, K.R. Kumaran Nair, and Vazhenkata Kunju Nair. He was later a student at Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, where he studied Kathakali under Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. He holds a Post-Diploma Certificate in Kathakali Vesham from the institution.

Shri Vasudevan Nair specialized in the Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali and received critical acclaim for his work in both the Pacha and Kathi Vesham. His major male roles include Rugmangada, Nala, Bahuka, Krishna, Keechaka and Ravana. He has also excelled in the portrayal of female characters such as Urvashi in Kalakeyvadham, Lalitha in Narakasuravadham, Damayanti in Nalacharitam, and Mohini in Rugmangada Charitam. He has travelled to several European countries and the United States for performances and lecture-demonstrations in prestigious festivals. He has also established himself as a teacher, imparting training at the Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy and Vellinezhi Government High School. His prominent students include Sadanam Krishnan Kutty and Sadanam Balakrishnan.

Shri Nair has received a number of awards from institutions in Kerala. These include the Kerala Kalamandalam Award and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award.

Kalamandalam K.G. Vasudevan Nair receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Kathakali.