A commemorative gathering dedicated to the legendary Bharatanatyam guru, composer, and scholar Guru K. J. Govindarajan finally its way to Delhi. As part of the programme, ‘Anusmriti: The Living Memory of a Master’—a seminar conceptualised, curated, and moderated by Ms. Rashmi Khanna—unfolded on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, at the CD Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The occasion was 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 Ms. Rashmi Khanna, the seminar brought together leading artistes, scholars and disciples to honour a guru whose pioneering contributions continue to inspire generations of dancers and musicians.
The seminar was 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 included:
– 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)
– Prof. Ashish Mohan Khokar (eminent dance historian, author and critic) who shared his views via video.
– Dr. Parul Purohit Vats (Kathak exponent, scholar, and Dean – School of Performing Arts, World University of Design)
Eminent personalities including Ragini Chandershekar, MV Chandershekar, and Guru Radha Marar, Dr Usha Ram, among others, also graced the occasion.
A key highlight was the launch of the book ‘Sculpting the Sacred in Sound and Movement’, authored by Ms. Rashmi Khanna, which documents for the first time Guru K. J. Govindarajan’s artistic journey, musical philosophy, and teaching heritage. The seminar also featured 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.”
Editor’s Note
In chronicling the journey of Guru K. J. Govindarajan, “Sculpting the Sacred in Sound and Movement” does more than document a life – it restores to memory the intangible values of discipline, devotion, and creative truth that define the Indian classical arts. Rashmi Khanna’s nuanced perspective as both practitioner and pedagogue allows her to write not as an observer but as an inheritor of the guru’s artistic spirit. The book stands as a bridge between remembrance and renewal – an offering that celebrates the timeless resonance of the master’s vision and its continued relevance in contemporary practice.
About the Book
“Sculpting the Sacred in Sound and Movement” is a seminal work that delves into the extraordinary life and artistic legacy of Guru K. J. Govindarajan, whose mastery of both Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam redefined the way rhythm and melody converse in the classical arts. Authored by Rashmi Khanna, the book offers a deeply researched and evocative portrait of a visionary who bridged South Indian classical traditions with North Indian cultural sensibilities, giving rise to a new aesthetic language.
Drawing from rare archives, oral histories, and personal experiences, Rashmi illuminates Guru Govindarajan’s unique pedagogical approach and his pioneering role in shaping generations of dancers and musicians. Published by B.R.Rhytms as part of the Digdarshini Performing Arts Series, this volume is both an academic resource and a heartfelt tribute – a reminder that art’s sacred core continues to evolve through devotion, intellect, and creative surrender.
About the Author
Rashmi Khanna is a celebrated Bharatanatyam exponent, teacher, choreographer, and special educator, renowned for her ability to balance classical discipline with contemporary imagination. As the Director and Founding Member of Kalyani Kala Mandir (KKM), she has mentored generations of dancers and curated productions that merge aesthetic sophistication with emotional depth.
Her artistic journey, rooted in the Dandayudhapani Pillai style and enriched through training in diverse dance forms and music traditions, reflects her expansive creative vision. A graded Doordarshan artiste and scholarship holder from the Ministry of Culture, Rashmi is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Dance, reaffirming her commitment to academic inquiry and cultural preservation. Recipient of numerous accolades including the Critic Circle of India Award, Pride of the Nation Award, and Nritya Bharat Ratna, she continues to shape the field of Bharatanatyam as an artist, educator, and scholar whose work embodies both reverence for tradition and courage for innovation.
