Born on 22 August 1935 in Calcutta, Gopi Krishna was a dancer, actor and choreographer related to the Banaras Gharana in Varanasi. He was accorded with the title of "Nataraj" (King of Dancers) at the All Bengal Music Conference.He has been awarded with the Padma Shri as well. As an actor Jhanak Jhanak Payal baje was his debut movie.