Gopi Krishna | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1935-08-22)22 August 1935 |
| Died | 18 February 1994(1994-02-18) (aged 58) Bombay,Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations | Dancer, actor, choreographer |
| Title | Nataraj, Nritya Samrat |
Gopi Krishna (22 August 1935 – 18 February 1994) was anIndian Kathak dancer, actor and choreographer. He also studied Bharatnatyam. In 1952, at the age of seventeen, Gopi Krishna became one of the youngest choreographers in Hindi film history when he was hired tochoreograph dances.
Gopi Krishna was born into a family ofkathak dancers. His maternal grandfatherPandit Sukhdev Maharaj was a teacher of Kathak and his auntSitara Devi was 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 fromShambhu Maharaj. In addition to Kathak, Gopi Krishna learnedBharatanatyam from Mahalingam Pillai and Govind Raj Pillai.[1] Despite suffering from chronic asthma he continued to expand his dance repertoire,[2] receiving the title of "Nataraj" (King of Dancers) at the All Bengal Music Conference at the age of 15.[1]
In 1952, 17-year-old Gopi Krishna became one of the youngest choreographers inHindi film history when he was hired to choreograph dances forMadhubala inSaqi.[2] In 1955, he appeared in his first filmJhanak 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 mainly due to songs likeNain so nain naahi milao, and helped to revitalize public interest in classical dance.[1] He also choreographed many films likeGrahasti (1963),Dastaan,Mehbooba,Umrao Jaan,Naache Mayuri (1986) andThe Perfect Murder.[3] During the 1960s and 70s, he toured India's border posts, entertaining soldiers withSunil Dutt's Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe.[2] Gopi Krishna later established the Nateshwar Bhavan dance academy and the Nateshwar Nritya Kala Mandir inKharMumbai.[2] In 1975 the Indian government awarded him India's fourth highest civilian award, thePadma Shri. He set a world record for the longest continuous Kathak dance at 9 hours and 20 minutes.[2][4] He also acted as master dancer in 'Na moonh chhupake jiyo' in theBR Chopra filmHumraaz and 'Champavati tu aaja' for theAsit Sen filmAnnadata. Both times he performed with his dance partner of many films,Madhumati. He played the character role of Latturam, Guruji in 1985Rishi Kapoor andRajesh Khanna starrerZamana. He also appeared in a small role in the legendary TV seriesMahabharat.
Gopi Krishna was born on 22 August 1935 in Calcutta and died on 18 February 1994, of a heart attack, in Bombay.[2][5]
Gopi Krishna was an exponent of theBenares Gharana style of Kathak.[1] He incorporated many elements ofKathakali andBharatnatyam in his dance.
Gopi Krishna married Kathak dancer Savitri in 1964.[2] His adopted daughter Shampa Sonthalia was born in 1980. She became a choreographer and dancer as well, placing as the winner in the 5th and 7th season ofJhalak Dikhhla Jaa where she was paired with actorGurmeet Choudhary andAshish Sharma respectively.[6]
7. ^ Biography of theGopi Krishna.
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