Kalamandalam gopi

Born in 1937 in the village of Kothachira, Kerala, Kalamandalam Gopi (Vadakka Manalath govindan) was initiated in kathakali by Guru T.Ravunni Nair. He later trained at Kerala Kalamandalam with Gurus Ramankutty nair, Padmanabhan nair, Kumaran nair and others.

Over a thirty year career Kalamandalam Gopi has established himself as an outstanding Kathakali actor. He has played all major Kathakali roles, excelling as Bhima, Arjuna and Nala. The most notable representative of the Kalluvazhi school today, he has enriched the northern Kathakali style in many respects. He was on the teaching faculty of Kerala Kalamandalam from 1958 upto his retirement. For his eminence in dance and his contribution to its enrichment Kalamandalam Gopi received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987.