| Kottarapattu Chattu Kuttan | |
| Birthname: | Kottarapattu Chattu Kuttan |
| Birth Date: | 15 February 1920 |
| Birth Place: | Trichur, Kerala, India |
| Death Place: | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation: | Doorman |
Kottarapattu Chattu Kuttan (Sinhala; Sinhalese: කොට්ටරපට්ටු චට්ටු කුට්ටන්) was an iconic Sri Lanka doorman at the Galle Face Hotel[1] in Colombo. He is considered as one of the oldest and most famous hotel employees in the world.[2] He became the trademark of Sri Lanka's hospitality industry and was known for his friendly manner, excellent memory for guests and white hair with a handlebar mustache. His photograph adorned the covers of many travel magazines all over the world.
He had been part of Galle Face Hotel's culture since 1942, working as a waiter, bell boy and finally as a doorman for seven decades.[3]
Kuttan was born in 1920[4] in the present day Kerala state of Southern India. At age 19, after his mother's death, Kuttan left home without telling his two brothers and three sisters. He arrived at the northern seaport town of Talaimannar of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), by crossing the sea. He then made his way to Colombo in 1938, with 25 rupees and the clothes he was wearing.[5] [6]
In Colombo, before getting a job at Galle Face Hotel in 1942, he worked as a domestic servant for one of Colombo's elite families .[7] He married a Sri Lankan Christian.
Kuttan started as a waiter, then became a bell boy, before finally becoming a doorman, continuing into his 90s.[8] He hobnobbed with guests from all over the world[9] and served many dignitaries.[10]
After suffering a brief illness, Kuttan died on 18 November 2014 at the age of 94.[11] He had amassed more than 72 years of hospitality service.[12]
The image of K.C. Kuttan is the avatar for the chat feature on the Galle Face Hotel's website.[13]