Gopika Varma

🪔 About

Gopika Varma is a highly acclaimed Indian classical dancer and teacher, renowned for her mastery of Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance form of Kerala. Born Gopika Gopal on July 11, 1969, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, she later settled in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in 1995. Her dance journey began at the tender age of three, with her mother as her first guru. At ten, she commenced formal Mohiniyattam training under Smt. Girija and Smt. Chandrika Kurup, both senior disciples of the legendary Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma. She further specialized in the art form under Kalyanikutty Amma and her daughter, Sreedevi Rajan, for a decade. Gopika Varma also received specialized training in Abhinaya, the expressive aspect of Mohiniyattam, from Kathakali doyen Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Additionally, she trained in Bharatanatyam for 18 years under Samraj Master, son of Vazhoor Ramaiah Pillai, and explored the Sopana style of performance with Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Varma is married to Prince Poorurttathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma, a descendant of the Travancore royal family, known for its patronage of the arts. She founded 'Dasyam', a Mohiniyattam dance school, in 2002, with branches in Adyar, Chennai, and Bengaluru, dedicated to promoting and developing the art form. She is an active performer, having given approximately 60 thematic performances annually since 2002, both in India and internationally. Her choreographic works include 'Ayonija Panchakanyaka', 'Radhayevide', and pieces based on Shankaracharya's life and ancient Tamil Sangham literature. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Gopika Varma is also involved in social work, running a shelter home for the physically challenged and a textile unit for their employment. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2018), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2008), Kalaimamani (2004), Nritya Choodamani (2010), Yuva Kala Bharathi (2001), Kaladarpanam Award (2003), Outstanding Performance Award (2003), Satya Abhinaya Sundaram (2007), Natya Kala Vipanchee, Rajakeeya Puraskaram, Abhinaya Kala Ratna Excellence Award, Raza Foundation Fellowship (2009), Kalashree, Pushparani Award.