Kavalappaara Narayanan Nair (1881-1948) was a talented Kathakali artist and trainer in the first half of twentieth century. He is considered as sequel to Pattikkamthodi Ramunni Menon and Guru Kunchu Kurup
.
Narayanan Nair's contribution to Kathakali is the stylization and training notes developed for many sub minor roles. His character-acting pattern is followed even now. His father and Kathakali artist Puthenveettil Sekhara Menon was his guru.
He taught in kathakali institutions like PSV Natya samgham of Kottakkal and Kerala Kalamandalam . Guru Gopinath , Ananda Shivaram Kelu Nair etc were is pet students in Kalamandalam. Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair practiced the northern style of Kathakali under his supervision.
Known for his role of Hanuman- the monkey god who was an escort to Lord Rama, Narayanan Nair had special talent in depicting humor roles in Kathakali such as Mannaan- (Washer man), Aanakkaran- (the mahout) and Mappila- (Muslim character.)Other characters are raudra Bheema and Shishupaalan
