Day Five Kathak

I am very pleased that the feedback so far has been enthusiastic. Yesterday the audience got to see five generations of sampradaaya. Today the audience was treated to the lecture demonstration by a full 20 member troupe! The musicians alone were ten and seated in a double row! It was done in a very professional way, and the disciples chosen were all of an excellent standard.

Jayant Kastuar, himself a Nrityachoodamani, spoke about the history of Kathak from its origins as a story-teller's art to its development as a performing art for the proscenium stage. It was interesting to hear him clarify many misunderstandings about Kathak.

I was very happy to see the way the two gharanas came together in harmony to present their best. We could see the small details that differentiate the two gharanas. In the Lucknow gharana, representing the lineage of Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, Jai Kishan Maharaj and Deepak Maharaj were enjoying themselves playing with the rhythmic sound of the bols and translating that into dance. Their students Gowri Diwakar and Quincy Kendall Charles were very very good. The Jaipur gharana representing the lineage of Kundal Lal Gangani, had Rajendra and Harish Gangani presenting their very strong and forceful pieces. Their students Swati Sinha and Dhirendra Tiwari were great examples of the continuing tradition.

Guru Jai Kishan Maharaj with Quincy Kendell Charles, Gowri Diwakar, Swati Sinha and Dhirendra Tiwari

And so on to the last day!

Please write in with your suggestions and comments for next year's NKC!

Shantha

Day Four reported in the Hindu Online