Sree Gurugopinath Trust Kerala

Reg No. K 397/97

Kangazha p.O , Kottayam - 686541 , Kerala

9495749931, 9495352679

Welcome to Guru Gopinath Trust Kerala

Dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of Guruji Guru Gopinath and promoting the exquisite art form of Kerala Natanam, the Guru Gopinath Trust has been a beacon of cultural preservation and artistic promotion since its inception.

Our Journey

The Guru Gopinath Trust Kerala was officially registered in 1997, marking a significant step in honoring Guruji's memory. We were privileged to have Prof. S. Guptan Nair as our first president, guiding our initial endeavors. The Trust's inaugural session was graced by the esteemed Mr. E M S Namboothiripad, who inaugurated the event at the historic Swathi Thirunal Music College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Our Impact & Initiatives

Since our founding, the Trust has been committed to formulating and implementing various projects that keep Guruji's memory alive and actively promote Kerala Natanam. Our key initiatives and achievements include:

  • Honoring Guruji: We meticulously celebrate Guruji's birth and death anniversaries each year, ensuring his profound contributions are never forgotten.

  • Promoting Kerala Natanam: We regularly conduct Kerala Natanam workshops both within Kerala and in major cities like Chennai and Delhi, fostering new talent and spreading awareness of this unique dance form. We also organize Kerala Natanam study camps in all districts.

  • Centenary Celebrations: Guruji's 100th birth anniversary was a landmark event, grandly celebrated at the Thirukrishnavilasam Palace (Levi Hall), with the late Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja gracing the occasion as our chief guest.

  • Youth Festival Inclusion: The Trust's dedicated efforts led to the re-recognition of Kerala Natanam in the state school youth festivals since 1998, after its suspension till 1997, a result of our representation to the then Education Minister. Furthermore, our continuous advocacy ensured that Kerala Natanam is now a competitive event (for boys, girls, and groups) in university youth festivals, receiving due consideration in all universities across Kerala.

  • Academic Recognition: We played a pivotal role in the implementation of the decision to award a certificate in Kerala Natanam in the degree course at Sree Swathi Thirunal Music College, Thiruvananthapuram, further solidifying its academic standing.

  • Recognizing Talent: The Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy has been awarding talented artists in the field of Kerala Natanam since 2006, providing much-deserved recognition and encouragement. The Trust also honors state-winning Kerala Natanam artists with awards.

  • Authoritative Recognition: We take immense pride in the fact that institutions like Doordarshan have recognized the Trust as an authoritative body, inviting us to perform Kerala Natanam. This is a source of great honor for all who cherish Guruji, his contributions, and Kerala Natanam.

Glimpses of Our Work:

Guru Gopinath Trust Kerala

From Guru to Generations:

the evolution of Kerala Natanam

Since 1957, Kerala Natanam has been taught at Sree Swathi Thirunal Music College, Thiruvananthapuram. The famous dancers Prof. Sundareswari Amma,

Prof. Lekhathankachy, Sree Nanthankod Vinayachandran, Prof. Anchal Sivanandan Nair and others followed. Guruji's family member and disciple, dancer Kottayam Chellappan, his wife Sreemathi Bhavani Devi, Guru Chandrasekharan, P.T.K. Menon, Venuji and others worked tirelessly to promote Kerala Natanam. World-famous dancer Dr. Padma Subramaniam, teacher Pankajavalli of Gurugopinath Dance Village, Dhananjayan couple and the famous Lalitha-Padmini-Raginis are some of the prominent people who have walked this path.

The Education Minister of the Left government in 1957, Prof. Joseph Mundassery, accepted and implemented Kerala Natanam as an important competition event in the State School Youth Festival. However, later on, Kerala Natanam was excluded from the competition events.

In 1961, Guruji started a dance school called Vishwakalakendram in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram. This institution functioned with great fame until Guruji's death in 1987. However, after Guruji's death, Vishwakalakendram became completely inactive. The fame of Kerala Natanam began to fade. It was in this situation that Guruji's nephew V.K. Chellappan Nair took the initiative and formed a group for the revival of Kerala Natanam by bringing together Guruji's disciples and well-wishers. The work was started by establishing an ever-rolling trophy for dance at Mahama Gandhi University. This was on 12-02-1993. In 1994, a cash award was established in the name of Gurugopinath - Thankamani for those who successfully complete Kathakali studies from Kerala Kalamandalam.

Preserving the Legacy, Promoting the Art

Sree Gurugopinath Natanagramam

An institution named Sree Gurugopinath Natanagramam is functioning in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, under the Kerala Cultural Department, in the name of Guruji. The Trust continues to make efforts to conduct Kerala Natanam classes across Kerala. Kerala Natanam academies are operating under the leadership of the Trust in places like Puthiyakavu, Haripad, Mattanur, and Payyanur in Kollam. The Trust is also making efforts to provide better learning in Kerala Natanam in other districts.

Our Commitment

The Guru Gopinath Trust Kerala remains steadfast in its mission to nurture and elevate Kerala Natanam, ensuring that Guruji's artistic vision continues to inspire generations. We invite you to explore our work and join us in celebrating this vibrant cultural heritage.

Send Us An Enquiry

Have a question, a suggestion, or want to learn more about our initiatives? Please feel free to reach out to us.

© 2025 . All Rights Reserved.

© 2025

.

All Rights Reserved.