Kathak and Manipuri dance traditions come alive at Dance Gurukul Festival in Pune
Pune : Pune witnessed an evening celebrating the grace, storytelling and rich traditions of Indian classical dance as the NCPA Dance Gurukul Festival, organised by Nadroop Kathak Institute, brought together Manipuri and Kathak performance , with young dancers presenting traditional repertoire while reflecting the depth of training imparted through the Guru-Shishya Parampara.
The evening opened with a Manipuri presentation, Priye Charushile, by students of renowned dancer and guru Preeti Patel. Drawing from Jayadeva’s Geet Govindam, the presentation explored the relationship between Radha and Krishna through themes of love, separation and devotion. Beginning with the Dashavatara, the performance moved through the beauty of the spring season and Radha’s emotional anguish as she waits for Krishna. The dancers brought alive the poetry through the distinctive grace, subtle abhinaya and lyrical quality of Manipuri dance.
This was followed by Trimiti, a Kathak presentation by Nadroop students Pramod Wagh, Shraddha Mukhade, Nayan Kohale and Shreya Kulkarni. The performance opened with Ganesh Vandana, followed by Ganesh Paran, Aamad in Ashtamangal taal. The dancers then presented Kaliya Pe Thade, depicting Krishna’s subjugation of the serpent Kaliya, before moving into the expressive thumri Aisi Mori Rangi Hai Shaam, Shyam Ghar Aaye. The evening concluded with a Tarana.
Speaking about the larger vision of the initiative, Swapnokalpa, Head of the NCPA’s Dance Department and a noted Odissi dancer, said, “Guru-Shishya Parampara has been a cherished dream of the NCPA’s Dance Department for many years. With 12 Gurukuls now spread across India, the initiative is creating sustained, year-round support for the dance community while providing young Shishyas with opportunities to learn, perform and grow. Our hope is that this journey extends beyond the NCPA to strengthen the larger dance ecosystem, because the future of Indian classical dance rests on the beautiful circle of Guru, Shishya and Saharidaya, the artist, the learner and an engaged audience.”
The evening also saw Kathak Guru Pandita Shama Bhate felicitating Swapnokalpa in recognition of their contribution to Indian classical dance and their role in nurturing young practitioners.