Guru K. J. Govindarajan was born on 19 October 1934 in a family of renowned musicians. His mother, the legendary flautist Kiranoor Jayalakshmi had a great influence on his early musical development. Tanjore in those days being the citadel of Carnatic tradition, he grew up in an atmosphere soaked in music and dance. Throughout his distinguished career, Guruji's firmly established family credentials remained the bed-rock of his creative strength. His early days in Kiranoor comprised training in music under venerable figures like Issaimani T. V. Namasivayam of Tiruvarur and Vidwan Narayanaswami of Tirumaigyanam. This foundation stood him in great stead when he undertook training in Bharatanatyam from Pichaiya Pillai Vidyalaya of Tanjore. Guruji was also adept at singing traditional Thiruarutpas of Ramalingaswamigal.

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The late 50's and 60's were the days of classical renaissance in India and Guru Govindarajan's search for newer pastures brought him to Delhi. In 1960, along with Guru Sikkil Ramaswamy Pillai, he moved to the capital at a time when the city didn't even have a single auditorium. Regarded as a pioneer in the cultural scene of North India, he belongs to the first generation of gurus who began imparting Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music training in the capital city. At Triveni Kala Sangam and later, at his own institution, Bharata Natya Niketan, he trained several students who made a niche for themselves amongst the most celebrated dancers of all time.

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"Guru Govindarajan was a part of the generation that transitioned Bharatanatyam from the domain of the devadasis and nattuvanars to the proscenium stage and the urbanised middle-class milieu of independent India."

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- (Anjana Rajan, The Hindu).

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A guru of eminent stature, he has travelled extensively in India and abroad as a nattuvanar, vocalist, teacher and scholar. He was one of the few nattuvanars gifted with the rare ability to sing and play cymbals simultaneously. During his career, he was associated with the greatest names in the sphere of Indian classical music and dance. As a guru, he was generous, selfless and always kept in mind the individuality of his disciples while teaching. His rich contribution to the Bharatanatyam world is phenomenal, spanning over 34 years. Guruji's forte was twofold. 

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"On the one hand he was deeply ensconced in the traditional Thanjavoor tradition of Bharatanatyam apart from being well-versed in the Tanjore Quartet compositions and in the works of other dance composers popular in the 1950’s. Whereas on the other, lay his ability to respect contemporary creativity. Urging his students onto new frontiers of choreography, he went on to leave a rich legacy of original compositions."

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- (Rajiv Chandran, The Pioneer) 

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During his prolific career, Guruji has composed two Pushpanjalis, one Mallari, five Jatiswarams, twelve Varnams, six Padams, thirteen Stutis and Bhajans, seven Tillanas, nine Dance Dramas and one Mangalam. Guru Govindarajan was bestowed with many awards and laurels including the 'Sahitya Kala Parishad' award of Delhi state in 1992. He was also honoured with the title of 'Natya Lasa Isai Gyana Oli' in 1979.

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As a testimony to his great devotion to art, all his four children are trained in classical music and dance and are established artistes in their respective fields. His eldest son, Vasudevan Govindarajan, is a mridangam player and Elangovan Govindarajan, his second son, a vocalist and nattuvanar. Raghuraman Govindarajan, his youngest son, is a flautist while his daughter, Kalaivani Rajmohan is a Bharatanatyam dancer. Marie Elangovan, his disciple and daughter-in-law, is teaching Guru Govindarajan's unique compositions and choreographies at the Parampara Centre for Indian Classical Music and Dance to many aspirants of all age groups. 

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"In a day of vanishing paramparas, it was heartening to watch the genial figure of Govindarajan conducting the melodic support for concerts, the entire musical team being made up of members of his family."

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-(Leela Venkataram, The Hindu)

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Inspired by his vision, his family and disciples are carrying the torch of his legacy, performing and teaching all over the world.