Kathakali maestro Kottakkal Gopi Nair, passed away at a private hospital at Kunnamkulam on Friday

Kottakkal Gopi Nair, a 97-year-old master of kathakali, passed away on Friday at a private hospital in Kunnamkulam. He was from Vavannoor, which is close to Pattaambi. After six decades of unwavering devotion to Kathakali, he leaves behind a rich classical heritage. He spent his salad days constructing and supporting the PSV Natyasangam of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, also known as Kottakkal Gopi Asan. PSV Natyasangam served as the focal point of almost his whole career, which lasted more than 50 years.

Gopi Nair began studying Kathakali in Class 5 and made his stage debut when he was 12 years old. He was fortunate to have his family's support. He arrived in Kottakkal in 1945 after completing his early years of education, when he joined the PSV Natya Sangham and received instruction from Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon and Kavalappara Narayanan Nair. Under the instruction of Vazhenkada Kunju Nair, his Kathakali abilities developed. Gopi Nair joined the Natya Sangham as an artist-cum-teacher after completing her studies and specialised mostly in female and minukku roles like Brahmana, Narada, and Kuchela. From 1961 till his retirement from the PSV Natya Sangham kathakali troupe in 1996, he served as its director.

Officials from Natya Sangham stated that Gopi Nair made a significant contribution to improving the calibre of their activities. Many artists remember him more as a mentor than a performer. Over a dozen socio-cultural organisations that participated in charity and philanthropic endeavours have Gopi Nair in the forefront.He gave performances all around the world, including in Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea. He has received several honours, including as the Suvarnamudra of the Pallassana Pazhayakavu Temple, the Kunju Nair Memorial Award from the Vazhenkada Kunju Nair Trust, and the Suvarnaharam of the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala.He leaves behind a wife and four kids. On Saturday, he will be cremated at his home.