Born :- 15-Mar-1921
Died :- 28-Mar-2009
Place of Birth :- puri, Odisha

Guru Kashinath Pujapanda was born on 15 March 1921 in Puri, Odisha. He was a distinguished vocalist, teacher and exponent of Odissi music who made an important contribution to the revival, preservation and institutional development of the musical tradition of Odisha. He received rigorous training in Odissi music and Mardala from eminent gurus including Singhari Shyamasundar Kar and Harihar Rajguru at Kalikakota Jagaghara, Puri, and also studied Hindustani music under Dhiren Mitra. Beginning his musical career in the 1940s, he was associated with All India Radio, Calcutta and Cuttack, and later with Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar. He served as a teacher and principal at institutions including Utkal Sangeet Samaj, Cuttack, Lalit Kala Pitha, Bhubaneswar, and Orissa Sangeet Parishad, Puri. Through dedicated teaching, performance and scholarship, he trained several disciples and contributed to the preservation and systematic transmission of Odissi music.

Major Contributions :- Guru Kashinath Pujapanda made significant contributions to the preservation, teaching and propagation of traditional Odissi music. His association with radio, television and cultural institutions helped bring Odissi music to wider audiences while preserving its traditional character. He also contributed to the documentation and understanding of the history, grammar and techniques of Odissi music.

Awards and Honours :- In recognition of his sustained contribution to Odissi music as a vocalist, teacher and propagator, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2005. He was also honoured with the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award in 1999, besides receiving several other recognitions from cultural institutions in Odisha.

Guru Kashinath Pujapanda passed away on 28 March 2009. His lifelong dedication to preserving traditional knowledge and transmitting Odissi music through modern institutions and broadcasting platforms has secured him an honoured place in the cultural history of Odisha.