Another feather in his cap

PERUMBAVOOR: Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Gopi, has been chosen for Advocate K Harihara Iyer Memorial Award. Kalamandalam Gopi, popularly known as Gopiyasan, was a teacher at Kalamanadalam for a long time and retired as its principal. He has performed in many countries and is a recipient of Padma Shri and many other awards, including Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award. The winner is selected on the basis of the outstanding contribution to the field of education, arts, culture, social and political activities at the state level. The winner will get a cash prize of Rs 10,001, citation and memento. The name of Kalamandalam Gopi as the winner was declared by Kerala Brahmana Sabha’s Perumbavoor Upasabha president N Ramachandran at a function held in connection with the 26th death anniversary of Advocate K Harikahra Iyer in Perumbavoor on Monday. Perumbavoor Upasabha and Harihara Iyer Foundation have jointly instituted the award.  A jury consisting of K Gangadharan Nair, Kalamandalam Sumathi and N Renganathan selected Kalamandalam Gopi for the award. Advocate Harihara Iyer was the first chairman of the Perumabavoor municipal council and the president of the Perumbavoor Bar Association for quarter of a century. He also served Perumabavoor upasabha of Kerala Brahmana Sabha and Swathi Thirunnal Sangeetha Sabha. Harihara Iyer was the patron of Perumbavoor Kathakali Club and Akshara Sloka Samithy. He was a leading figure in the fields of arts, culture and social activities in the town, besides being a successful advocate. The award would perpetuate the memory and contributions of late Harihara  Iyer to society, said Upasabha president Ramachandran.