Global star: dancer Ram Gopal, photographed in 1938
An extraordinary life which began in Bangalore and ended in Croydon is remembered and celebrated in an exhibition about dancer Ram Gopal currently running at the Museum of Croydon.
Entitled “I saw a god dance”, the exhibition highlights Gopal’s contribution to bringing Indian dance to global audiences.
Sketched by painters, clicked by photographers, chiselled by sculptors and praised by critics, Gopal was described as the “Nijinsky of India” (a reference to the Russian ballet dancer, rather than the Lester Piggott-ridden Triple Crown-winner).
A modernist, he blended Indian dance with balletic choreography, and in the 1930s, along with Uday Shankar, was among the first to showcase classical dance in the West, becoming a celebrity from New York to Paris, London to Warsaw.
He danced at some of the greatest theatres in the world, where he performed Garuda: the Golden Eagle, The Legend of the Taj Mahal, and Radha Krishna, a ballet choreographed in collaboration with Dame Alicia Markova.
Made an OBE in 1996 for services to dance, Gopal died, aged 90, in 2003 in a Norbury care home where he had spent the final years of his extraordinary life.
The exhibition, funded by the Heritage Lottery, runs at the Museum of Croydon, in the Clocktower at Katharine Street, until March 25, and is presented in conjunction with Apsara Arts.
On the final day of the exhibition, which is free to attend, will include a community celebration with workshops and performances.
- Inside Croydon – as seen on TV! – has been delivering local community news since 2010. 3million page views per year in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
- If you want real journalism, actually based in the borough, you should consider paying for it. Please sign up today. Click here for more details
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network- Inside Croydon works together with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as well as BBC London News and ITV London
- ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SIXTH successive year in 2022 in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine
India, known for its rich cultural heritage, has a profound tradition of classical dance forms that embody grace, spirituality, and intricate expressions. From the mesmerizing footwork to the elaborate hand gestures, Indian classical dancers captivate audiences with their flawless movements and profound storytelling abilities. Beyond their individual achievements, these dancers have played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of India. Through their performances, they embody the essence of Indian spirituality, mythology, and cultural diversity, captivating audiences and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of this ancient art form.