Sangeet Natak Akademi and its associate bodies deeply mourn the sad demise of Shri T.K. Govinda Rao, renowned musician and Akademi Awardee, who passed away in Chennai on 18 September 2011.

Born in 1929 in Tripunithura, Kerala, Shri T.K. Govinda Rao received his training in vocal music under Vidwan Musiri Subramanya Iyer. He was also trained in the violin, Mridangam and Kanjira.

A successful vocalist of several decades standing, T.K. Govinda Rao was lecturer in the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Madras, in the early part of his career. He then worked as producer of music, All India Radio, Madras, and was AIR’s Chief Producer
(Music) in Delhi. He was associated with several institutions of music and universities, and had written on the compositions of the trinity of Carnatic music, and of Purandaradasa. He had also expounded on Tanavarnams and Padavarnams.

For his contribution to music, he was honoured with the title Sangeet Choodamani, conferred by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (1988), and the Sangita Kalanidhi, conferred by the Music Academy, Madras (1999). He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for his contribution to Carnatic vocal music in 1996.

With the passing away of Shri T.K. Govinda Rao, the world of Indian music has lost an outstanding personality, who will be remembered for generations to come.