Guru Gopinath

Natana Kala Nidhi Dr. Guru Gopinath (June 24, 1908 - October 9, 1987). An Indian classical dancer, Kathakali master and mentor of a relatively new creative modern dancing style, Kerala Natanam.

Early Years

Guru Gopinath's family - the Perumanoor tharavad- has two hundred years of tradition in Kathakali. The great Kathakali artist Champakkulam Paachu Pillai known for his performance in thaadi and kaththi roles in Kathakali is his elder brother. Bheeman Paramu Pillai alias unda Paramu pillai, a court dancer (kathakali) of the Travancore was his mother's father.

Related Topics:
Champakkulam Paachu Pillai - Travancore

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He was born on 24 June, 1908, as the second son of Madhavi Amma and Kaippilli Sankara Pillai, in Champakkulam, Kuttanad in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. There were many exponents of Kaplingaadan style of 'Kathakali' in this family like Champakkulam Paramu Pillai, Champakkulam Shanku Pillai. Great Kathakali master Guru Kunchu Kurup is realated to this family.

Related Topics:
24 June, 1908 - Kuttanad - Alappuzha - Kaplingaadan - Guru Kunchu Kurup

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His initiation to Kathakali anangu (stage) was accidental. When he was a child once he had gone with his paternal uncle for a Kathakali show performed by his troupe The show was on and at midnight suddenly uncle came to the sleeping boy and did some minimum make up to him to look like a maharshi-a hermit- and asked him to sit on a chair on the stage. He instructed him to hand over the bows and arrows when a man with glittering headgear comes and bestow him. He did exactly as told by uncle. That was guru Gopinath's first appearance in a Kathakali show.

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Great masters of Kathakali like Champakkulam Paramu Pillai, Mathoor Kunjupilla Panicker, and Thakazhi Kesava Panicker at Champakkulam were his teachers for the initial years, where he had undergone training in southern style of acting in kathakali, which gives importance to abhinaya.

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Kavalappara Narayanan Nair was his main teacher at 'Kerala Kalamandalam' where he was asked to join as a special student for higher studies in northern style, which gives importance to gestures movements and footsteps. Guru Kunchu Kurup taught him lessons in Abhinaya(acting). Later he went and stayed with Chenganoor Raman Pillai an expert in southern style , to learn more about Kathakali

Related Topics:
Kavalappara Narayanan Nair - Abhinaya - Chenganoor Raman Pillai

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