Yog Sunder Desai

🪔 About

Yog Sunder Desai (born Yogendra Gopaldas Desai; July 16, 1921 – November 27, 2020) was a pioneering Indian dancer, choreographer, and researcher, widely recognized for his significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Indian folk and classical dance forms. Born into a princely family in Limbdi, Gujarat, Desai's early life was influenced by Gandhian ideals, with his parents actively participating in the freedom movement. He received his education at national cultural institutions like Dakshinamurthy, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan. At Shantiniketan, he trained in painting under Nandalal Bose and delved into various dance forms, learning Manipuri from Guru H. Atombapu Singh and Rabindra Sangeet from Santidev Ghose. He underwent rigorous training in Kathakali under Guru Kelu Nair in Shantiniketan and later under Padmashri Guru Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair in Kerala, becoming the first non-Malayali to complete such extensive training. He also studied Krishnattam from Shri Krishna Kartav, Mohiniattam from Smt. Kochumalu Amma, and Kathak from Pt. Bhure Lal. Desai made his stage debut in Bombay in 1945, playing Raja Bhim Dev in K.M. Munshi's 'Jai Somnath'. In 1947, he established the Indian Progressive Ballet Group in Calcutta, followed by the founding of his renowned dance ensemble, the Indian Revival Group (IRG), in Calcutta in 1948. The IRG, one of India's foremost dance ensembles, has continued for over 75 years, dedicated to showcasing India's rich cultural heritage. He produced iconic works such as 'Rhythms of India' (1955) and 'The Man Divine' (1969), a tribute to Gandhi and Tagore. Yog Sunder Desai was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2008 for his lifetime contribution to Indian dance. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008).