69+
Years of Experience
1
Followers
About
Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair, popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi, is a revered Indian classical dancer and an eminent exponent of Kathakali. Born on May 25, 1937, in Kothachira village, Palakkad district, Kerala, Gopi initially trained in Ottanthullal before discovering Kathakali, which transformed his life. He joined the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam…
Journey Timeline
1937
Born — Born Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair in Kothachira, Palakkad district, Kerala.
1951
Joined Kerala Kalamandalam — Began formal Kathakali training at Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur.
1957
Graduated and Appointed Teacher — Completed formal lessons and was appointed as a teacher at Kerala Kalamandalam by Vallathol Narayana Menon.
1985
Received Kerala Kalamandalam Award
1987
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1990
Became Principal — Appointed Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam.
1992
Retired as Principal — Retired from his post as Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam.
1995
Received Kerala Sangeet Nataka Akademi Award
2002
Received Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship
2008
Received Kerala Sangeet Nataka Akademi Fellowship
2009
Conferred Padma Shri — Received the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.
2011
Received Kalidas Samman
2011
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
2012
Received K Harihara Iyer Memorial Award
2017
Published "Nalacharita Prabhavam" — Authored an actor's manual on Kathakali.
2025
To Receive Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan — Will receive the highest honor from the Shanmukhananda Sabha.
Photo Gallery
Photos will appear here.
Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 1985 · Kerala Kalamandalam Award — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 1987 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1995 · Kerala Sangeet Nataka Akademi Award — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2002 · Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2008 · Kerala Sangeet Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2009 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- 2011 · Kalidas Samman
- 2011 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 2012 · K Harihara Iyer Memorial Award — Perumbavoor unit of Kerala Brahmana Samooham and K Harihara Iyer Foundation
- 2025 · Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan — Shanmukhananda Sabha
Media Coverage
- Kathakali legend Kalamandalam Gopi to be honoured Sunday in Maharashtra
The Times of India
Dance School
No school linked yet.
Students
No students linked yet.
Testimonials
Student & peer testimonials will appear here.
Upcoming Workshops
No workshops scheduled yet.
Compiled from public sources and/or self-reported by the artist — not independently verified by NatyaNetwork. Is this you? Claim this profile to manage or correct it. See our Terms.