Kalamandalam Gopi Biography 
Kalamandalam Gopi is an exponent of Kathakali, traditional dance form of Kerala. His real name is Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair born May 21, 1937 in Kothachira, Palakkad. He is fondly called, Gopiasan. Asan means Guru in Malayalam language. He blends the solid body grammar of the highly stylised Kalluvazhi tradition. He is a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi, government of India. It is the highest honour given for his contributions to Kathakali. He is known for the romantic and dramatic portrayal of pachcha roles in Kathakali. Male protagonist roles like Nalan, Karnan and Rukmangadan are among those noted roles. Male roles are known as Pacha in Kathakali.
Kalamandalam Gopi got his formal training from Kerala Kalamandalam, situated at Cheruthuruthi, Thrissur – “The University of Kathakali”. He received training from masters of Kathakali - Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair and Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. He has also learnt Ottamthullal for a brief period, before seriously learning Kathakali. His initiation to Kathakali was done by Thekkinkattil Ramunni Nair at the Koodallur Mana. Later he completely switched to Kathakali and joined Kerala Kalamandalam, started by great poet, Vallathol Narayana Menon.
During 1960’s, his pairing with Kottakkal Sivaraman who played Kathi (female protagonist) was noted most. They complimented each another and have worked together in numerous plays. The pair still performs on stage together. But Margi Vijayakumar pairs with him frequently nowadays. He has worked as the principle of Kerala Kalamandalam and retired in the year 1992. He successfully completed 36 year service in this educational institution. Gopi has acted in a couple of Malayalam movies; both are critically well acclaimed and won many National awards as well – Shaantham and Vanaprastham. Vanaprastham is the movie about a Kathakali artist, for which Mohanlal won National award for best acting. Now he stays in Mundoor, a village 12 km north of Thrissur (Thrissur – Guruvayur NH), with his wife and two sons.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 08, 2014
