Guru Gopinath

Guru Gopinath

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Category: Art

Guru Gopinath Profile

  • Name:
  • Guru Gopinath
  • Born:
  • June 24, 1908
  • Spouse:
  • Mulakkal Thankamani Amma

Guru Gopinath Biography

Guru Gopinath was a doyen of Kathakali, traditional art form of Kerala. He has also trained various classical art forms including Bharathanatyam and Kuchupudi. The famous Kathakali dancer and guru Kunchu Kurup was a member of his family. Famous Kathakali artists - Champakkulam Paramu Pillai was his grandfather and Champakkulam Pachu Pillai was his elder brother. Champakkulam Paramu Pillai,Mathur kunju Pillai Panicker and  Thakazhy Kesava Panicker were his gurus who taught him Kathakali and other art forms. He was one among the first batch of students of Kerala Kalamandalam. He was instrumental in introducing and popularising Kathakali to the outer world. He is regarded as one of the great iconic figures of Indian Art of 20th century, similar to Uday Shankar. He has also authored several books on art.

 

Gopinath was born on 24 June 1908 at Champakkulam at Kuttanadu of Alappuzha District to Madhavi Amma and Sankara Pillai. He learnt both southern (Kaplingadan) and northern (Kalluvazhi) style of Kathakali. He was invited by Vallathol to Kerala Kalamandalam for higher studies when it was just formed. Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Ananda Shivaram were among the first batch of students at Kalamandalam. He trained under Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, Guru Kunchu Kurup and Guru Kavalappara Narayanan Nair. He studied Rasa Abhinaya under Natyaacharya Mani Madhava Chakkiyar.

 

His dance partner was Ragini Devi, an American born dancer from Michigan and they together performed for the first time in Mumbai in 1932. Apart from classical art forms and Hindu mythological subjects, he also performed in social live and political subjects. He has also choreographed several ballets of which his last work, Ramayana is most popular. Once in 1930’s Rabindranath Tagore saw him performing live and he sent an appreciation letter. The Rabindra Bharathi University honoured him with a doctorate. He received the Veera Srumkhala from Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the King of Travancore. He has also appeared in a few feature films. Gopinath was married to Mulakkal Thankamani Amma, one among the first Mohiniyattam students of Kerala Kalamandalam.

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Updated: January 27, 2014

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