Jagannatha Varma

K. N. Jagannatha Varma was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam film and television industry. He was also an accomplished Kathakali artist. His son Manu Varma is also a recognized artist and his son-in-law Viji Thampi is a well-known film director. He acted in a number of Malayalam movies performing stereotypical roles of a senior police officer, judge or a priest. Some of his noted roles were in movies New Delhi (1987), Thanthram, Lelam (1997) and Pathram (1999), all directed by Joshiy. Varma joined the Kerala Police Force in 1963, before getting active in movies. He retired from the Kerala Police as the Superintendent of Police. Varma is an accomplished Kathakali artist, having mastered the art from Pallippuram Gopalan Nair Asan. He was also a percussionist, learned the art from Kalamandalam Raman Namboothiri after retiring from Government service. His younger brother K. N. Surendranatha Varma, a retired college professor, is also a Kathakali artist.