Govindrao Tembe Biography 
Govindrao Tembe was a harmonium player, Hindustani musician, stage actor, and music composer of Gujarati origin. He was one of the prominent Gujarati artists in the first half of 1900s. Tembe learnt classical music from Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale, and also indirect guidance from Alladiya Khan of Jaipur Gharana in Hindustani music. He lived during the period, 5 June 1881 – 9 October 1955. His real name is Govind Sadashiv Tembe. He is best remembered as the composer of the first Marathi talkie Ayodhyecha Raja (1932), and also played a character role in it. He was a co- owner of the theater company, Gandharva Natak Mandali.
Govindrao Tembe hails from Gujarat, and he was brought up in Kolhapur. Since childhood he got attached to music and musical instruments. A self-taught harmonium player, an art club named Deval Club has been instrumental in his introduction to the world of Hindustani music. He took formal training in classical music from Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale, and also received guidance from Alladiya Khan, though not directly. Yet Tembe regards Khan as his guru. During his learning and formative years in Hindustani music, he used to assist his guru Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale for his performances, and later almost gave up his harmonium.
When talkies came into existence in Indian movies in the early1930s, he got opportunity to compose music for Ayodhyecha Raja in 1932, first talking film in Marathi language. Earlier he has composed music for one stage play, Manapman in 1910. During his professional years, he was a friend of Kanteerva Narasimha Raja Wadiyar, Yuvaraja of Mysore, and was a part of his trip to Europe in 1939 which performed there. They returned the followed year. But Yuvraj passed away a couple of months later.
Published: July 28, 2018
Updated: July 28, 2018
