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Lineage
Guru Shishya Parampara is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentoring where teachings are transmitted from generation to generation. It is imparted through the developing relationship between the guru and the disciple.
I feel privileged to have learnt from my Guruji, Acharya Parvatikumar through this medium and continue to pass on the same to my disciples.
My Guruji was a disciple of Guru Shri Mahalingam Pillai, son of renowned Nattuvanar Shri Kuppaih Pillai who was the son of Panchapakesa Nattuvanar - descendants of Venkatakrishna Nattuvanas of King Serfoji's time. Guruji also learnt under Tanjore Shri Chandrashekhar Pillai, a Nattuvanar in the court of the Baroda King Sayajirao Gaekwad. He was a disciple of Kanthimata Amma, a devadasi who was presented to the Baroda Court. Guruji had profound reverence for his Gurus and so, when Venugopal Pillai hailing from the traditional family of his Guru came to learn from Guruji, he never charged any fee as a mark of respect. Guruji and Amma also learnt some beautiful Padams from Mylapore Gauri Amma.
My Guruji, Acharya Parvatikumar through extensive research, brought to Maharashtra the Marathi Nirupanas composed by the great patron of this traditional lineage - Shri Sarfoji Maharaj Bhosale of Thanjavur.
In memory of both their invaluable works, I established the Sarfojiraje Bhosale B.N. T. & R. Centre in Mumbai in the year 1993 where I continue to preserve, promote and propagate these treasures through my institutions. Even today, at both Bharata College of Fine Arts & Culture as well as Kala Paricchaya, we continue to teach these rare gems composed by Serfoji II and choreographed by Guruji. As a repository of this knowledge, I continue to perform these as a soloist without tinkering, and have also further choreographed these compositions in a group ensemble. This is my humble tribute to the great king and Guru!
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