He was born on January 10, 1923 in Vellinezhi in Palakkad district into Olappamanna mana, a wealthy family with a feudal past known for its patronage of artists and musicians.
In fact, the house of Kunjukkutan, the protagonist in the movie (played by Mohanlal), had been the residence of the late Kathakali guru Padma Shri Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.