Kathakali made Gopi ‘Kalamandalam Gopi’. And Kathakali is my life and everything. In addition to the talent, one has to have the Almighty’s benediction, luck, and Guruththam (Guru’s blessings).

There is a wide misconception among the people that award is the evidence of recognition and celebrity. But I value the audience’s recognition much above the awards. I have only pity for artists who hound the Ponnada, shields, etc. This is the case in every art form and I consider this as part of the decline of values in life. By God’s grace no one ever had to recommend my name for any awards and I am fully satisfied with the recognition and respect given by the public.

To a certain extent it is true. Today money is a big problem. But before it was different. You know, I was from a very poor family. My home was a hut, of thatched roof. Dropping out as a fourth standard student, learning Ottam Thullal, the traditional folk art form first, and shifting to Kathakali, in all these period I underwent a great deal of poverty and hardships. The driving force that motivated all these miseries is nothing but the stagnant love towards Kathakali.

The life of a Kathakali dancer may be a little improved today, but the others in the troop like the drummers, the singers, make-up men, and helpers are still lagging behind in recognition and money. The organisers of Kathakali negotiate or the members other than the dancers in paying them. But in foreign countries it is different. They respect all persons related to classical art more than any others.

Kathakali has grown over the image of ‘Kerala’s classical art’. In foreign countries it is accepted as India’s classical art.

No. That is the sad thing. Even though the people value it, the government never mind it. The central government has been completely discriminating against Kathakali. But this extends to all south Indian art forms. The government in Delhi pretends as though they know the art of north India only and hence art forms in south India are dragged behind. But the biggest irony is that, these marginalised art forms at home, fetch more fame from all over the globe bearing the title ‘India’s classical arts’. Nevertheless, if this discrimination continues, how long can the art forms survive as the nation’s classical forms?

Yes.They give Padma Shri and other awards to film stars only and rate classical art performers nowhere in the frontline.