The Irreplaceable Hanuman – Passing of a Legend  C.K. Balagopal

Born in a small village called Cheruvathur in Kerala, C.K. Balagopal first set his foot in Chennai in the year 1953 along with Asan Chandu Panikar and V.P.Dhananjayan and entered Kalakshetra to be trained as a Bharatanatyam dancer under the tutelage of the great Rukmani Devi Arundale. Characterised by his sparkling eyes and simplicity, Balagopal sir or Balanna, as he was endearingly called, was more of an actor and a dramatist. It is said that he wanted to be an actor and even tried his hand at an audition but was refused due to his short stature. Balagopal and Dhananjayan were the inspiration for the epic Ramayana series of Kalakshetra, which stands as an epitome of all dance dramas to this day. He has played many roles in the dance dramas of Rukmani Devi, most popularly, as Hanuman, as Krishna in Gita Govindam, as Ravana disguised as a sage to abduct Sita and many more. Each and every role he played, was played to such perfection that it was etched in the minds and hearts of his audience and the credit for that goes to his boundless creativity. Balagopal’s short stature could have been the reason for not passing a movie audition but that was not a barrier for him being chosen by Rukmani Devi as Hanuman. When questioned about her choice Athai(as she was fondly known) is supposed to have commented, “Majesty is an internal state. I have understood Balagopal and I know he can definitely portray the role.” True to her word Balagopal in his maiden portrayal of Hanuman is supposed to have jumped a mighty leap which the audience remember to this day and the rest is history. Balagopal Sir passed away on the 24th of August 2019. With his demise the world of dance has a lost a true artist, teacher, guide and mentor but his legacy will live on in the field of Natya.