Kalamandalam Gopi was born in Kothachira village near Pattambi, Palakkad district in 1937. His original name was Vadakke Manalath Govindan. He started training in Ottan Tullal as a 9-year-old. He learnt Kathakali for about a year from Thekinkattil Ramunni Nair at Koodallur Mana. He debuted as Kusa in Lavanasura-vadham i.e. `Slaying of Lavanasura`. In 1951 he joined Kerala Kalamandalam and was a disciple of Vazhenkata Kunchu Nair, Ramankutty Nair, and Padmanabhan Nair for seven years.

Over a thirty-year career Kalamandalam Gopi has established himself as an outstanding Kathakali actor. He has played all major Kathakali roles, excelling as Bhima, Arjuna and Nala. The most notable representative of the Kalluvazhi School today, he has enriched the northern Kathakali style in many respects. He was on the teaching faculty of Kerala Kalamandalam from 1958 up to his retirement. For his eminence in dance and his contribution to its enrichment Kalamandalam Gopi received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987. Kalamandalam Gopi became an instructor there in 1958. He excels aspaccha heroes like Nala, Rukmangada, Arjuna, Kama, and Bhima, utilizing his height, perfect facial features, wide expressive eyes, and innovative actions. He also gives importance to the postures of characters. At times he crosses the limits of abhinaya in the intensity of expressions, but his sringara (erotic) rasa is of high quality. Admired for his simplicity and sincerity, Gopi is the most popular Kathakali actor in Kerala after Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. In 1994 he retired from the Kalamandalam as principal.

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