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Father’s Name: Chittore Gopalan Nair
Mother’s Name: Sumathy Kutty Amma
Date of Birth: 01-July- 1945

Gopal Venu received his training in Kutiyattam from Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar and Guru Parameswara Chakyar. Venu was responsible for founding the institutions Natanakairali and Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam.  

He is well known as a research scholar, author, performer, director and a person responsible for the rejuvenation of several rare traditional artforms of Kerala. 

He has done extensive research on the Hastabhinaya(hand gestures) and Netrabhinaya(eye-expressions) of Kerala’s unique theatre traditions. He has written several books based on his research and has also evolved a special system of notation that can  be used to notate theatre and dance forms like

Kathakali, Kutiyattam and Mohiniyattam. 

Venu directed Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Sakuntalam and Vikramorvasheeyam in Kutiyattam and Sri Sankara’s devotional poem Saundaryalahari in Nangiar Koothu (solo performance of women in Kutiyattam)  

He is one of the four directors of the World Theatre Project in Sweden and a visiting Master teacher at the Theatre Research and Training Programme in Singapore. 

He has recieved several honours such as Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Homi Bhabha Fellowship, Senior Fellowship (Dept, of Culture, Govt. of India),

Dakshinachitra Virudhu honour together with Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar for lifetime achievement. 

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