Gopi Nath was born in Champakulam village, Alappuzha district, in 1908. He was the younger brother of Champakulam Pachu Pillai. After five years of training in Kathakali under his uncle Sanku Pillai, he joined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1930 and continued under eminent gurus like Kunchu Kurup and Pattikkantodi Ramunni Menon. He invented a new form that he named Kerala Natanam i.e. `Kerala Dance`, premiered in 1934 at Kottayam. His spectacular achievements began in 1936 when he joined the famous American dancer Ragini Devi to tour worldwide. In a sense, he gave Kathakali much needed exposure. Rabindranath Tagore happened to see him perform and said that none equalled him in the perfection of art.

Gopi Nath`s facial expressions were wonderful. He proved Kathakali`s flexibility by introducing major changes in costumes. He copied the crowns and dresses of gods and goddesses as seen on statues in different temples, which art lovers welcomed. Appointed as palace dancer by the Travancore Maharaja, he resigned later to lead productions throughout India. He wrote many books, such as Natana kairali i.e. Dance of Kerala`, Abhinayaprakasika i.e. `Expression of abhinaya`, Talavum natanavum i.e. `Tala and Dance`, Abhinayankuram i.e. Seedling of abhinaya, Kathakalinatanam i.e `Kathakali Dance`, and an autobiography titled Ente jivita smaranakal i.e. `My Life Memories`. Gopi Nath died in 1987.

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