A commemorative gathering dedicated to the legendary Bharatanatyam guru, composer, and scholar Guru K. J. Govindarajan is on its way to Delhi. As part of the programme, ‘Anusmriti: The Living Memory of a Master’—a seminar conceptualised, curated, and moderated by Rashmi Khanna—will unfold from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, at the CD Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The occasion will be graced by Padmashri Kiran Segal, eminent Odissi exponent, author, and one of Guru Govindarajan’s seniormost disciples, as the Chief Guest.
Curated, conceptualised, and moderated by Rashmi Khanna, the seminar brings together leading artistes, scholars, and disciples to honour a guru whose pioneering contributions continue to inspire generations of dancers and musicians.
The seminar is envisioned as a holistic celebration of music, dance, scholarship, and memory, echoing the confluence of raga, tala, and bhava that shaped Guru K. J. Govindarajan’s artistic legacy. The distinguished panel includes:
- Guru G. Elangovan (son and disciple of Guru K. J. Govindarajan; Bharatanatyam exponent, vocalist, and composer)
- Guru Jaya Shankar Menon (senior disciple and eminent Bharatanatyam guru, Delhi)
- Guru Sindhu Bhagia Mishra (senior disciple and renowned artiste)
- Prof. Ashish Mohan Khokar (eminent dance historian, author and critic)
- Dr. Parul Purohit Vats (Kathak exponent, scholar, and Dean – School of Performing Arts, World University of Design)
Eminent personalities, including Ragini Chandershekar and Guru Radha Marar, among others, will also grace the occasion.
A key highlight will be the launch of the book ‘Sculpting the Sacred in Sound and Movement’, authored by Rashmi Khanna, which documents for the first time Guru K. J. Govindarajan’s artistic journey, musical philosophy, and teaching heritage. The seminar will also feature a Bharatanatyam presentation by Ms. Khanna’s students, set to a Tillana composed by Guru Govindarajan and the screening of a short documentary on Guru K. J. Govindarajan, titled ‘Resonant Rhythms; The Musical Genius of Guru K. J. Govindarajan’.
Author and curator Rashmi Khanna shared, “This seminar is significant because it brings together diverse voices who carry his legacy forward, creating a space for reflection, remembrance, and renewed understanding of his profound contributions. Through this book, I wanted to preserve the essence of Guru K. J. Govindarajan’s vision – where music, movement, and devotion existed in perfect harmony. His teachings remind us that classical art is not about repetition, but innovation and evolution; a living tradition that continues to inspire and transform.”
