Kubernath Tanjorker

🪔 About

Guru Shri Kubernath A. Tanjorkar, a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, was born in 1921 in Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu, into a family with a rich musical heritage. He received his foundational training in Bharatanatyam under the renowned Guru Shri Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai of Pandanallur, Tamil Nadu. Complementing his dance education, he also pursued classical vocal training from Shri Balakrishna Pillai of Tanjavur. His artistic journey further expanded with training in Hindustani Classical Music from the esteemed Ustad Fayazkhan of Baroda. Kubernath Tanjorkar's career saw him serve as a dance teacher at Bhatkande College of Hindustani Music in Lucknow until 1948. He later became a "Nattuvanar" in Baroda State. He dedicated three decades of service to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, retiring in 1981. Following his retirement, he established the Tanjore Nritya Shala, an institute dedicated to promoting the art of Bharatanatyam. To further propagate and preserve the pure form of Bharatanatyam, he founded The Tanjore Dance Music & Art Research Centre, serving as its managing trustee. Even at the age of 82 (as of the article's publication in 2001), he continued to offer guidance and advice to numerous dance institutes and aspiring students. His son, Shri Ramesh K. Tanjorkar, and daughter-in-law, Smt. Leela R. Tanjorkar, continue to successfully run the Tanjore Nritya Shala, upholding his legacy. Kubernath Tanjorkar was a pioneer in choreographing Bharatanatyam pieces in Hindi to Hindustani ragas, adapting traditional compositions to his aesthetic. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1993), Sarangdev Award, Award of Gujarat.