‘Arpan’ – invoking the Kathak Guru

Marvellous Kathak performances will fill the evening with rhythm at the India Habitat Centre on Friday as talented artists will take the stage with their phenomenal whirling and breathtaking footwork.

‘Arpan’ is a show organized by Delhi’s Devi Durga Kathak Sansthan in collaboration with Nartan Academy of Indian Classical Dance, USA for a unique experience, which will feature Kathak Dances dedicated to the memory of Kathak Guru of Bhavnagar, Gujarat — Late Guru Dharamshibhai Shah.

“The guru-shishya relationship has been the sacred cornerstone of Indian religious and educational traditions in general, and music and dance education. The performances in Arpan are a gift of emotion, melody, and rhythm made to the cherished and venerated Guru Shri Dharamshi Bhai Shah, who began learning dance at the age of 15 years. He received his training at Shantiniketan (Kolkata) and at the Shri Udayshankar Cultural Centre (Almora). He also learnt Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, and Odissi,” said the organizers.

Experts consider his mastery of the four main classical dance styles of India as a rare achievement. He received the Gujarat Gaurav Purskar from the Gujarat government in 1989. The Limca Book of Records named Guruji the oldest dancing instructor in India in 2015. He was also awarded the Guru Gaurav Puruskar in 2017.

At Arpan, the programme will begin with an invocatory number in praise of Lord Ganesha. Woven with Ganesh Parans and Kavita. The event will also have performances by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Guru Geetanjali Lal and Sushri Vidha Lal, M.A Kathak Gold Medalist and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee.

The concluding item is a Taraana, where the dancers bring out the beauty of the melody woven with rhythmic patterns, highlighting the main features of Kathak like fast spins and breathtaking footwork. Taraana is set to Teentaal in Raag Chandrakauns.

The renowned performers and gurus will be performing on Gujarati compositions specially choreographed for the occasion.

Devi Durga Kathak Sansthan, an Academy of dance and music was founded in 2002 to honour the late Devi Lal and Durga Lal, two brothers who were both extraordinarily talented exponents of Kathak. The founding member of this organization is Guru Geetanjali Lal, a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award.

Guru Purvi Rajyaguru Bhal is the Director and Choreographer at the Nartan Academy of Indian Classical Dance Kathak. She started learning Kathak at the tender age of 12yrs in Bhavnagar, Gujarat under the guidance of Guru Shri Dharamshibhai Shah. With the blessings of her Guru, she established the Nartan Academy of Indian Classical Dance Kathak in 2007 to continue the traditions learnt from her Gurus and guide her own students in this dance form. The name Nartan Academy was chosen by Guru Shri Dharamshibhai Shah.

When: 2 December, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre

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