Gopinath-An epic personality

🪔 About

Guru Gopinath (Perumanoor Gopinathan Pillai) (1908-1987) was a pioneering Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher, widely regarded as an "epic personality" in 20th-century Indian dance. Born on June 24, 1908, in Champakkulam, Kerala, he hailed from a family with a two-hundred-year history in Kathakali. He received rigorous training in both southern (Kaplingadan) and northern (Kalluvazhi) styles of Kathakali from masters like Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, Guru Kunchu Kurup, and Guru Kavalappara Narayanan Nair. He also studied Rasa Abhinaya under Natyaacharya Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar. A turning point in his career came in December 1932 when he partnered with American dancer Ragini Devi (Esther Luella Sherman) for his first stage performance in Mumbai, introducing Kathakali to audiences outside Kerala. Gopinath was instrumental in popularizing Kathakali globally by evolving a more accessible and contemporary style, initially called 'Oriental dance' or 'Kathakali Natanam,' and later formalized as 'Kerala Natanam.' This new form retained the classical essence of Kathakali but incorporated more natural expressions (lokadharmi abhinaya) and diverse themes, including social, biblical, and political narratives, moving beyond traditional Hindu mythology. He served as the palace dancer and principal of the dance institution run by the royal family of Travancore. Guru Gopinath founded several institutions, including Natana Niketan in Madras (Chennai) in 1945, Viswa Kala Kendra in Thiruvananthapuram (established in 1963), and the International Kathakali Centre in New Delhi. He was also a prolific choreographer, creating over 40 dance dramas, including the illustrious 'Ramlila' in Delhi and the popular 'Ramayana' ballet, staged over 1500 times. Gopinath challenged the male monopoly of Kathakali by training female dancers. His illustrious demonstration of Navarasa (the nine emotions) is featured in major museums worldwide. He passed away on October 9, 1987, on stage while enacting King Dasharatha in his Ramayana ballet. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1954), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, Veera Srumkhala, Guru (1948), Doctorate, Abinava Nataraja (1934), Natana Kalanidhi (1936).