{"id":"9efcd966-b10c-4f04-9ca7-63abad15acde","type":"artist","slug":"kalamandalam-gopi","title":"Kalamandalam Gopi","summary":"Born Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair (b. 1937), a leading Kathakali exponent known for pachcha (virtuous) roles; Padma Shri, 2009.","body":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"Joined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1951 and completed formal training in 1957. Appointed a teacher there in 1958 by the school's founder, Vallathol Narayana Menon — Gopi is the only living performer to have been appointed by Vallathol himself. Retired as school principal in 1992. Known for roles including Nalan, Karnan, and Rukmangadan.","type":"text"}]}],"media":[],"revision":1,"updatedAt":"2026-08-23T11:44:27.942Z","url":"https://folkroom.org/artists/kalamandalam-gopi"}
{"id":"92ca3958-001a-4263-99b3-d1bbf5a3e351","type":"artist","slug":"sita-devi","title":"Sita Devi","summary":"Madhubani painter from Jitwarpur village who brought the Bharni style to international recognition; Bihar State Award, 1969.","body":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"Born in Jitwarpur village, Madhubani district. Worked in the Bharni style, known for vivid colour fill depicting mythology and folklore. Honoured with the State Award by the Government of Bihar in 1969, the year the art form received wider national recognition.","type":"text"}]}],"media":[],"revision":1,"updatedAt":"2026-08-23T18:11:20.190Z","url":"https://folkroom.org/artists/sita-devi"}