GOPIKA VARMA
Exponent of Mohiniattam

www.artindia.net is privileged to present this page on GOPIKA VARMA as part of its series on outstanding artists of India.

The ancient Travancore royal family has been famed down the age for its patronage of the fine arts. Gopika Varma is married into the family, to Prince Poorurttathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma, descendent of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.

Mrs. Vanaja Nair her maternal grand mother +initiated her to learn mohiniyattam. Mrs Vanaja Nair was very particular that her grand daughter, should learn mohiniyattam from the great guru Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma and Gopika started learning Mohiniyattam at the age of 10 from Smt. Girija and Smt. Chandrika Kurup, both senior students of Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma, whose student she continued to be for 10 years. Later she specialized in the art from under the able guidance of Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma herself and her daughter, Smt.Sreedevi Rajan. She was also fortunate to learn Abhinaya, which is the quintesence of Mohiniyattam, from Sri. Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, the doyen of the Kathakali sage. She has gleaned a wealth of knowledge and professional training in the "Sopana" style of performance, from Sri. Kavalam Narayana Paniker, a veteran in Indian theatrics.

Gopika has performed extensively at various art festivals, sabhas and temples nation wide and internationally. Her Mohiniyattam is marked by extreme grace and fluidity of movement, transmitting radiance through movements and expressions that at times sigh with nostalgia, purity and sanctity, while being blessed with geometrical precision and technical finesse.

Gopika is very lively in her Nritta-Nrithya elements of Mohiniyattam, and her eyes are very eloquent in communicating the messages of abhinaya. Love for this graceful and gentle dance of soft rhythm has enabled Gopika to transmit through movements and expressions, her own personal worship of the Divine.

Presently, Gopika is running a Mohiniyattam Dance School named "Dasyam" at Adyar, Chennai, with a vision to promote and develop Mohiniattam dance outside Kerala; to award scholarships to genuine candidates, to provide teachers' training program in Mohiniattam, to offer medical help to artists and to provide basic facilities to all the performing and non-performing artists by conducting annual events and Festivals. Dasyam Swati Nrithyolsavam consequently for the past 5 years have organized "Swati Thirunal Festival" inviting various dancers from all dance forms all over India to perform in the same. This festival is marked as one of the prominent festivals of South India. Besides this, Gopika also hosts the Dasyam Yuva Utsav during the month of Jan. This festival is organized to promote young talent.
Smt. Gopika Varma as a professional performer and teacher, has received various awards.

Gopika has recieved innumerable awards and recognations for her contribution to Mohiniattam including 'Kalai-mamani' from Tamil Nadu Government and 'Nritya Choodamani' from Krishna Gana Sabha.

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