KOCHI: Marking the end of a glorious era for kathakali enthusiasts, Kalamandalam Gopi, the doyen of the classical dance form who mesmerised audiences across the globe with his majestic portrayals for around seven decades, has announced his retirement from the stage.
In his last elaborate performance, the artist, revered by aficionados as Gopi Asan, portrayed Bahuka from Nalacharitham Moonnam Divasam (Day 3) at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in February 2024. He went on to essay the role of Kuchela from Kuchalavritham at Kottakkal Viswambhara temple in April.
“As an artist who has lived in the limelight, engaging with kathakali enthusiasts throughout my life, I have a passion for the stage. The decision to end my theatre life has been a hard one. But I am unable to perform due to pain in my knees. I had been receiving invites from across the state, but physical ailments made it difficult for me to travel and perform. So, I decided to bid adieu to the stage,” Gopi Asan told TNIE.
Known for his portrayal of Nala, the romantic hero of Nalacharitham, Gopi Asan has portrayed almost all kathakali characters, including minukku (woman), pacha (noble hero), kathi (villain), red thadi (ferocious villain), kari (hunter), white thadi (Hanuman), and even Mallan, the wrestler. But, he gained immense popularity for depicting romantic heroes such as Nalan and Bheeman of Kalyana Sougandhikam.
“I have performed around the globe, including in Europe, America, Africa and West Asia. Perhaps the only place I have not visited is Pakistan. I don’t have an affinity for any character, but enthusiasts prefer my pacha roles. I have enjoyed performing as Hanuman, Baali, Sugreevan and Thrigarthan,” he said.
Celebrated as the greatest kathakali artist after Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair, who later became Kalamandalam Gopi, was born in Kothachira, Palakkad in 1937.
It has been an eventful journey, says Gopi Asan
His father initially enrolled him for Ottan thullal lessons, which he had to discontinue after two years. Later, he received basic training in kathakali under Thekkinkad Ravunni Nair at Koodalloor Mana.
He depicted Kusa from Lavanasura Vadham in his first performance in 1949. In 1951, he enrolled as a student at Kalamandalm, where poet Vallathol Narayana Menon was his mentor. Kalamadalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair helped fine tune his talent. After completing his course, Gopi Asan joined Kalamandalam as a teacher. At the institution, he played a key role in reviving the art form and admitting women students into its Kathakali courses.
“It has been an eventful journey. It is difficult for an artist who has been busy throughout one’s life to sit idle. Now, I get more time to read books. My sons, Jayarajan and Raghurajan, have decided to institute an award for Kathakali artists in my name and the first award will be presented by me on my birthday on June 6 this year. We have invited applications from leading artists and the winner will be selected through a draw of lots,” said Gopi Asan.
Known for his manodharma, the conversation revealing the character's emotions in Nalacharitham, Gopi Asan’s depiction of Nalan won him fans worldwide. Through his spontaneous expressions he used to portray the pain of Nalan, following the separation from his wife Damayanti. His depiction of Karna from Karnasapadham has also been widely appreciated.
“The padam (lyrics) that I love the most is ‘Kuvalaya Vilochane, Bhaimi....’ where Nala is enamoured with the beauty of Damayanti. I am happy that kathakali is gaining popularity these days. There have been changes. There were various streams like kalluvazhy, kaplingadan and kalladikodan. The kalladikodan stream has ceased to exist and the difference between kalluvazhy and kaplingadan is narrowing. I was trained in the kalluvazhy stream” he said.
Gopi Asan has performed in three movies, ‘Vanaprastham’ directed by Shaji N Karun, Jayaraj’s ‘Santham’ and 'Loudspeaker'. Acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan made a documentary on the famed artist, titled ‘Kalamandalam Gopi’.
Gopi Asan retired as principal of Kalamandalam in 1992. He is the recipient of many prestigious honours, including the Kerala Kalamandalam Award (1985), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1995), the Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (2002), the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (2008) and Padma Shri (2009).