An evening of Kathak

Classical moves

Gurgaon reverberated with the beats of Kathak recently. Well-known classical dancer Jayashree Acharya performed at Epicentre, Gurgaon with her entourage of over 80 kids.

For over two hours, the guru and her disciples – from 5 to 35 years – regaled the august audience with their graceful moves, expert expressions and colourful traditional costumes.

Jayashree Acharya, a disciple of Pt Birju Maharaj, completed her post diploma in Kathak from Kathak Kendra before joining Drishtikone a renowned dance company and also worked in the Repertory of Kathak Kendra. In 1994, she was invited by the UK centre of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and has since performed all over the world.

Her dance school Jayashree Acharya Kathak Kendra is today known as one of the finest classical dance schools in Delhi-NCR.

On the occasion, she expressed, “I am always surprised to see young girls and boys approach me to learn Kathak, especially in a cosmopolitan city like Gurgaon. So many of them join Bollywood and Salsa dance schools and come to me saying they got bored. This is the reason why it is said that there is no replacement for classical dance. Once your foundations are strong, you can learn anything.”

The festival flagged off with ‘Naman’ – a Saraswati vandana by kids aged 5-10. This was followed by a Shiv Stuti by her senior most students in their 30s. A sargam (notes in Kathak) named Tridhara was presented by junior students followed by Tarana in raag Jansammohini, Shyam katha kavit set in taal teen taal, Sargam set in raag kirwani taal ek taal, Tarana in raag Jaijaivanti teen taal and then bhajan by Surdas Shrinand nand nachata sudanga.

Lastly, Jayashree serenaded nikas. She also explained each piece as she rendered them.