The main objective to organize this contest is to develop harmony and a healthy competition in young professional dancers to inspire them to opt Classical dance as a profession. More over we get a interstate cultural exchange through this contest and lastly it will be a project as a tribute to two great dancers from different era a great dancer and torch bearer of a great legacy of Jaipur Gharana – Late Guru Pandit Kundanlal ji Gangani and a well-known artist and guru from last decade Late Guru Dr. Sadhana Nafde, This contest will be a tribute to those legendry Gurus for their contribution towards Classical Dance field.
Guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani
Guru Kundan Lal Gangani, one of the leading exponents of the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak and one of the gurus, was born in 1926 in Sujangarh in the Churu district of Rajasthan. His maternal uncle, the famous Kathak guru Sri Narayana Prasad, trained him and made his first public performance at the age of 8 and then at the royal court of Raigad at the age of eleven. After that, he spent nearly five years in Bihar. , Madhya Pradesh and several states and cities such as Khairagarh, Allahabad, Mumbai, Pune, Baroda, Kanpur, and Jaipur, and continued their public appearances in 1960 in Jodhpur. After this, he particularly drew his attention to teaching. He lived and taught in many centers like Mumbai, Rajkot, Baroda, Jodhpur, and Delhi.
Guru Dr. Sadhana Nafde
Dr. Sadhana Nafde is well known for her contribution in the field of dance Nationally and locally too, she has to her credit to bring all dancers under one roof of Sanskar Bharati, in spite of dancers personal differences amongst themselves and giving exposure to Global level of Classical Dance by inviting National & International Classical Dancers Locally.
Born at Gwalior, her tryst with Kathak started at a very tender age under tutelage of Late Shri. Bapusaheb Shinde, a disciple of Late Lachhu Maharaj She has got equal blessings of Pt. Birju Maharaj.
In due course of time she acquired her graduation in Music from Gwalior’s Jivaji University. She followed it with a masters’ degree in Marathi and was trained by Smt.Girijadevi Homble [Bharatnatyam] and Jaichandbabu [Manipuri], but her love for Kathak compelled her to pursue yet another masters, this time in Kathak from renowned Indira Kala-Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya of Khairagarh.
Academics apart, Sadhanatai – as she is fondly called -, was a keen performer too. Beginning at the age of 12 she resumed her South India sojourn. Her stunning performance at – All India Classical Dance competition organized by Kala-parishad won her applause and acclaim. From 1960 to 1970, she performed regularly in Republic-Day functions at Delhi and Kalidas Samaroha at Ujjain. And she did all this while doing justice to her job of a Dance teacher at Gwalior’s Padma Vidyalay.
She was also invited by Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai as a coordinator to modify the syllabus according to the norms of UGC for the examinations conducted by them. She ialso headed a panel of syllabus for the course of dance in Kavi Kulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit Vidyapeeth.
She was awarded her doctorate in dance for her topic `Natwari (Kathak) Nrutya Mein Madhurabhakti tatha Prayukta Geet Prakaro Ka Sthan’ by Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur university.
Pt. RAJENDRA GANGANI
A Kathak Dyeon
Pt Rajendra Gangani (Kathak Dyeon) the disciple and son of Pt. Kundanlal Gangani, started training in the art of Kathak dance at the early age of four. The renowned ‘Jaipur Gharana’ saw the emergence of an outstanding performer and crusader of the art in the talented scion of a family of hereditary dancers serving the art of Kathak for centuries together.
Pt. Rajendra graduated from the Kathak Kendra, Delhi in the year 1983-84, and ever since has made significant contribution to this field. A large number of thematic items like Leele-Varnan, Raag Vistaar, Tribandhi, Sargam, Zhalak, Srijan, Kavitakriti, Maharaas, Parikrama have been produced by him. An accomplished musician, composer of tunes, he also has a rare mastery over the tabla, harmonium, pakhawaj, etc. Guruji, as he is fondly called by all his students and associates, has created items that are beautiful blends of artistic excellence, meaningful poetry, soulful music and expressive dancing…a careful amalgam of all the four elements of Abhinaya. Among the numerous awards and accolades he has won, are the ‘Sangeet Raj’, ‘Shastriya Natya Shiromani’, and the prestigious ‘Sangeet Natak Akademy Award’ which was bestowed upon him in 2003 by The President of India, Hon’ble Shri A P J Abdul Kalam.
Kathak Guru Rajendra Gangani is one among the few Indians who have performed solo in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, the Festival of India in USSR, apart from performances in America, Italy, Germany, France, China, Japan and even Afghanistan. Even at home he has been a part of significant festivals like the Chidambaram Natyanjali Festival, the Konark Festival, the Ghungroo festival at Bhopal, Kathak Mahotsava, Sharadchandrika at Delhi, Haridas Sangeet Sammellan at Vrindavan, and Nritya Ojas in Pune. With a confident grasp of the kinetics and aesthetics of dance, and his ability to select apt songs, his choreographic creations always bring an air of refreshing novelty. Apart from routine performances, Rajendra Gangani has also been active in attempting a blend of various dance forms.
SHAMA BHATE
A Kathak GURU
Shama Bhate’s work spans over 40 years as a performer, teacher, choreographer, artistic director, and thinker. Her personal idiom, evolved over the years, is an amazing blend of virtuosity (tayyari) and sensitive expressions (abhinaya), revealing the high degree of classicism.
Shama is the Director of a unique institute – Nadroop – based in Pune.Shama herself is a principle disciple of Guru Smt. Rohini Bhate, the doyen of Kathak & Taalyogi Pt. Sureshji Talwalkar. Shama teaches as a Guru in many state universities.
She is a member of the Advisory Board of numerous Dance & Art academies of national repute. Shama has performed at many prestigious festivals in India and abroad & has acquired a special place in the hearts of music and dance lovers.
Shama is one of the leading choreographers from India. After working in the traditional format for many years, she has explored new choreographic possibilities using various art media like paintings, line drawing, sculpture, cinema etc. Her troupe, Nadroop, has performed at various national festivals like Kathak Mahotsav (Delhi & Jaipur), Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav (Pune), Khajuraho Festival, Purana Qila Mahotsav, Nishagandhi Festival (Kerala), Kala Ghoda Festival (Mumbai), Badal Festival (Bharat Bhavan Bhopal) etc.
Shama Bhate has received the prestigious ‘Maharashtra RajyaPuraskar’ 2011 conferred by the Maharashtra State Government. Shama Bhate has received the prestigious ‘Maharashtra RajyaPuraskar’ 2011 conferred by the Maharashtra State Government., ShriShri Kundanlal Gangani Award, 2019, ‘‘Times Power Woman’ 2018 by the Times Group, ‘Bundeli Gaurav’ at the Damon Mahotsav 2018, ‘Guru Rohini Bhate Puraskar’ 2018, ‘Nehru Yuva Kendra Puraskar’, Krida mantralaya. 2018, Kathak Samarpan Puraskar 2016 by Nilima Nrityalay, Puraskar by Pune Municipal Corporation 2015.
Dr. Manjiri Deo
A Kathak Maestro
Renowned Kathak maestro Dr. Manjiri Deo has contributed a lot to the dance culture in Thane. Born in Kolhapur, she started her education in Kathak from Pt. Badrinath Kulkarni. After getting married to Shreeram Deo in 1968, she came to Thane and learnt the intricacies of Kathak from the legendary Guru Dr. Asha Joglekar and late Padmashree Nataraj Gopikrishna. Choreographies like Aamrapali, Gayatri mantra, Geet Ramayan, Suryastuti, Durgastuti are a part of her dance journey. She has been training hundreds of students in her institution Shree Ganesh Nritya Kala Mandir since 40 years. Dr. Manjiri Deo has penned the book ‘Nritya Saurabh’, the first book in Marathi which has detailed explanation of Kathak, useful to the students of Kathak. This book had received special award for Best Literature from Govt. of Maharashtra. Also, her book Kathak Kaumudi is used as a reference book for post graduation students of Kathak.
Manisha Sathe
A Kathak Guru
Mrs. Maneesha Sathe, has been trained initially with Pandit Balasaheb Gokhale in Pune and later with none other than Kathak Maestro Nataraj Pandit Gopi Krishna ji in Mumbai. For the last 45 years, she has been running Maneesha Nrityalaya Trust in Pune, an institute dedicated to the field of Kathak dance. She has performed Kathak in many conferences and dance festivals in different parts of India and abroad including the most renowned Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, Shaniwarwada Dance Festival, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Lucknow Dance Festival, Kamakhya Festival – Guwahati, Nehru Centre – Mumbai, Tata Theatre – Mumbai, Dance Theatre Bangalore etc. and in many countries including USA, Japan, China, Bahrain, Sweden etc., individually and also with her troupe.
Sharangdhar Sathe
A Music Guru
Sharangdhar Sathe comes from a well educated family. He as a classical musician who has proved his mettle in the field of Indian Classical Music. He started learning music at a tender age of 8. For almost 7 years he learnt Vocal & Tabla. Later shifted his focus to ‘SAMVADINI’ – an instrument that changed his basic orientation. He mastered the instrument with rigorous practice of 48 years. He learned in Guru Shishya Parampara from Pt. Manohar Chimote. He is a senior disciple of Pt. Manohar Chimote who is a pioneer in developing Harmonium as a solo performing instrument and after making few changes in the instrument to suite Indian Classical Music name it as ‘SAMVADINI’. He developed a unique style of playing SAMVADINI which a blend of Gayaki and Tantrakari.
Archana Joglekar
Actress and classical dancer
Archana Joglekar is an Indian actress and classical dancer. She has acted in Marathi, Odia and Hindi films and television serials. Some of her noted films are Sansaar (Hindi), Eka Peksha Ek (Marathi) and Anapekshit (Marathi). She is a Kathak dancer and choreographer. She was trained in Kathak by her mother, Asha Joglekar, a Kathak danseuse and instructor. In 1963, her mother founded a dance school in Mumbai called Archana Nrityalaya. In 1999, Joglekar opened a branch of this dance school in New Jersey, US
Rekha nadgauda
A Kathak GURU
The founder and director of KKM, Rekha, began her illustrious career in Kathak at the young age of 10. She learnt her initial lessons from late Guru Haider Sheikh in Nashik before assuming disciple-hood of late Guru Natraj Pandit Gopikrishna and Pt. Shama Bhate. Her artistry and finesse have been applauded at varied dance festivals viz; Sharad Chandrika Festival, Kala Sangam, Ramdas Sangeet Mahostav, Gopikrishna Sangeet Mahostav, Sanskriti Mahostav and the revered CAEN Festival. Recently her performance was very well received at Nritya Praniti Festiva, Lucknow organized by Sangeet Natak Academy Delhi. Her distinctive creativity has produced much unconventional choreographies throughout her career. She is passing on her wisdom to many students with determination, patience, warmth and love. Her relentless efforts have successfully enabled her to spread the branches of KKM internationally.
Sharvari Jeminis
A Kathak GURU
Sharvari Jamenis was born and raised in Pune. Her education happened at the Garware School in Pune, followed by SNDT for college education. In her school days, she was extremely active in speaking competitions in 3 languages : English Marathi and Sanskrit. When studying in college, she participated in a lot of Ekankika and Natak spardhas and was spotted by director Chandrakant Kulkarni, who then casted her for the 1999 thriller movie Bindhast. Mona Ambegaonkar was her costar in the movie. Along with being an actress, she is also a trained Kathak dancer, choreographer as well as an aerobic instructor. Rohini Bhate was her Kathak instructor and she started learning at the young age of 7. Later, she participated in a lot of stages shows in different countries. A few other films like Maaybaap, Paash had her as a choreographer as well. The list of awards she has won is long including the Kalaa Gaurav Award, Nargis Datt Award and Alpha Gaurav.
NILAKSHI KHANDKAR
A Kathak Maestro
Initiated into Kathak Dance at a tender age of 7 years by Dr. Smt. Sadhana Naphde ji (Nagpur) for 10 years. Received further training of Jaipur Gharana from renowned Kathak exponent Pt. Shri Rajendra Gangani ji at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, which gave finer touches to her dance and helped her achieve aesthetics finesse. Completed M.A. in Kathak from Indira Arts and Music University, Khairagarh & Commerce graduate from Delhi University. Graded artist (Delhi Doordarshan) since 2015. Empaneled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs.
Ashwini Kalsekar
A Kathak GURU
Ashwini Kalsekar is a celebrated Kathak artist, choreographer and dance teacher from London. With a Master’s degree in Kathak, her professional career spans over 15 years. Ashwini is renowned for her expressions, grace & footwork. She has professionally choreographed for dance, musicals and film. Ashwini has choreographed on a range of exceptional concepts leading to vibrant displays. She teaches Kathak to aspiring dancers and is appointed as a tutor at Dance Xchange’s Yuvaa Gaati program of advanced dance training. Ashwini aspires to choreograph a professional show length performance.