guru gopinath was married to mulakkal thankamani amma, a great mohiniyattam dancer and exponent of kerala natanam. she was the first student of mohiniyattam at kerala kalamandalam in early 30s, when poet vallathol narayana menon and manakkulam mukunda raja started a course to revive this dying art form. after marriage she became co-dancer and partner of gopinath. her relentless support of her husband was significant to his achievement.