Background
Gopi Krishna was born into a family of Kathak dancers.
Gopi Krishna was born into a family of Kathak dancers.
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, 17-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 Grahasti (1963), Dastaan, Mehbooba, Umrao Jaan, Naache Mayuri (1986) 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. He set a world record for the longest continuous Kathak dance at 9 hours and 20 minutes. On 18 February 1994 Krishna had a massive heart attack in his Bombay home and died later that night.