When ghatam vidwan Prof. N. Govindarajan passed away on May 7, the Carnatic music world lost a dedicated artist and a committed teacher.
Govindarajan was born into a musical family. He began learning mridangam at the age of seven from T.R. Harihara Sharma. But the ghatam fascinated him and he made a switch to the clay pot, by learning its nuances from vidwans Vikku Vinayakram, Karaikkudi Mani and K.M. Vaidyanathan.
Taking the stage professionally at the age of 13, Prof. Govindarajan accompanied many music greats such as M.D. Ramanathan, M.L.Vasanthakumari, Chittibabu, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Voleti Venkateshwarulu, Veena S. Balachander and D.K. Pattammal. He also played along side many of today’s eminent artists such as Lalgudi Jayaraman, N. Ramani and M.S. Gopalakrishnan.
An A-grade AIR artist, Govindarajan was a professor of Philosophy at the A.M. Jain College, University of Madras, for 28 years. Besides playing, the ghatam vidwan was passionate about teaching and had many students, both Indian and foreign. He conducted music workshops both in India and abroad. In fact, he was the co-ordinator, advisor and instructor for the Colgate India study group from New York during its semester in Chennai. Recognition came his way through the many awards and titles he got from various sabhas and leading organisations.
Above all else, Prof. Govindarajan was warm and generous person, who supported many needy students financially and imparted his art with single-minded devotion. He will be missed by his fellow artists, students and rasikas.
