Gopi Krishna (dancer)
Encyclopedia
Gopi Krishna was an Indian dancer, actor and choreographer.
dancers. His maternal grandfather Pandit Sukhdev Maharaj was a teacher of Kathak and his aunt Sitara Devi
is a Kathak dancer who has performed around the world. When he was 11 years old, Gopi Krishna began training under his grandfather. He also learned from Shambhu Maharaj
. In addition to Kathak, Gopi Krishna learned Bharatanatyam
from Mahalingam Pillai and Govind Raj Pillai. Despite suffering from chronic asthma he continued to expand his dance repertoire, receiving the title of "Nataraj" (King of Dancers) at the All Bengal Music Conference at the age of 15.
In 1952, 14 year old Gopi Krishna became one of the youngest choreographers in Hindi film
history when he was hired to choreograph dances for Madhubala
in Saqi. In 1955, he appeared in his first film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje. In the film he played Girdhar, a talented young dancer whose love for his partner jeopardizes his dancing career. The film was successful and helped to revitalize public interest in classical dance. He also choreographed many films like Dastaan, Mehbooba
, Umrao Jaan
and The Perfect Murder. During the 1960s and 70s, he toured India's border posts, entertaining soldiers with Sunil Dutt
's Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe. Gopi Krishna later established the Nateshwar Bhavan dance academy and the Nateshwar Nritya Kala Mandir. In 1975 the Indian government awarded him India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri
. He set a world record for the longest continuous Kathak dance at 9 hours and 20 minutes.
On February 18, 1994 he had a massive heart attack in his Bombay home and died later that night.
in his dance.
where she was paired with actor Sushant Singh Rajput
.
Life and career
Gopi Krishna was born into a family of KathakKathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
dancers. His maternal grandfather Pandit Sukhdev Maharaj was a teacher of Kathak and his aunt Sitara Devi
Sitara Devi
Sitara Devi is an eminent Indian dancer of the classical Kathak style of dancing. When she was in her teens, Rabindranath Tagore, after watching a performance by her described her as Nritya Samragini, meaning, the empress of dance...
is a Kathak dancer who has performed around the world. When he was 11 years old, Gopi Krishna began training under his grandfather. He also learned from Shambhu Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
Pandit Shambhu Maharaj was a celebrated Guru of the Lucknow Gharana of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak. -Early life and training:...
. In addition to Kathak, Gopi Krishna learned Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
from Mahalingam Pillai and Govind Raj Pillai. Despite suffering from chronic asthma he continued to expand his dance repertoire, receiving the title of "Nataraj" (King of Dancers) at the All Bengal Music Conference at the age of 15.
In 1952, 14 year old Gopi Krishna became one of the youngest choreographers in Hindi film
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
history when he was hired to choreograph dances for Madhubala
Madhubala
Mumtaz Jahan Begum Dehlavi, known by her stage name Madhubala was a Hindi movie actress. She starred in several successful movies in the 1950s and early 1960s, many of which have attained a classic status...
in Saqi. In 1955, he appeared in his first film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje. In the film he played Girdhar, a talented young dancer whose love for his partner jeopardizes his dancing career. The film was successful and helped to revitalize public interest in classical dance. He also choreographed many films like Dastaan, Mehbooba
Mehbooba
Mehbooba is a 1976 Hindi film produced by Mushir-Riaz and directed by Shakti Samanta. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini and Prem Chopra. The music is composed by R. D. Burman. The plot it is based on Gulshan Nanda's novel Sisakate Saaz, and Nanda also wrote the screenplay...
, Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
and The Perfect Murder. During the 1960s and 70s, he toured India's border posts, entertaining soldiers with Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt , born Sunil Balraj Dutt, was an Indian Hindi movie actor , producer, director and politician. He was the cabinet minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government...
's Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe. Gopi Krishna later established the Nateshwar Bhavan dance academy and the Nateshwar Nritya Kala Mandir. In 1975 the Indian government awarded him India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
. He set a world record for the longest continuous Kathak dance at 9 hours and 20 minutes.
On February 18, 1994 he had a massive heart attack in his Bombay home and died later that night.
Style
Gopi Krishna was an exponent of the Benares Gharana style of Kathak. He incorporated many elements of KathakaliKathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
in his dance.
Personal life
Gopi Krishna married Kathak dancer Savitri in 1954. His daughter Shampa Sonthalia was born in 1981. She became a choreographer and dancer as well, placing as the first runner up in the fourth season of Jhalak Dikhhla JaaJhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is a television reality show and the Indian version of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and ABC's Dancing with the Stars.- Concept :...
where she was paired with actor Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Rajput , born as, "Sushant Singh Rajput" is an Indian television actor best known for playing the role of Manav in Pavitra Rishta and also known for his dancing skills post Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.-Personal life:Sushant was born in Delhi on the 21st of January, 1986, in the Rajput family...
.