As the Sam Ved Society celebrates its 30th anniversary with a two-day performance, founder and kathak exponent Uma Dogra shares details of the unique acts
Thirty years ago, renowned kathak exponent Uma Dogra decided to launch a platform after the untimely demise of her guru, Pandit Durgalalji in 1989. He was the doyen of the Jaipur gharana of kathak and the festival, organised by the Sam Ved Society for Performing Arts, will see eminent musicians and vocalists pay homage to Pt Durgalal through their art.
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"It's amazing that we have been around for 30 years. It's heartening to see that one more generation can understand our dance and music traditions. Today, we have the second generation of dancers taking the stage," says Dogra.
Sharmila Biswas
The festival will begin with two of Dogra's senior disciples, Indrayanee Mukherjee and Sarita Kalele, doing a shiv stuti on a new taal created by Dogra in 15 days. "My guruji was a Shiv bhakt," explains Dogra, adding, "Sarita will go along the thumri written by me and Indrayanee to a Sufi song by Amir Khusrau."
This will be followed by a chhau and bharatanatyam duet by Delhi couple Rakesh Sai Babu and Priya Srinivasan respectively, and an Odissi presentation by leading practitioner Sharmila Biswas, from Kolkata, a senior discipline of guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Sarita Kalele
The second Saturday will have an evening of solos — Sreelakshmy Govardhanan with a kuchipudi performance; Odissi by Bijayani Satpathy, and the concluding act by Mumbai-based bharatanatyam dancer Vaibhav Arekar. "Sreelakshmy will perform to live music. She's bringing her own ensemble from Kerala," adds Dogra.
On February 22, 6.30 pm, and 28, 6 pm
At Mini Theatre, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi (Feb 22); and Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point (Feb 28).
Call 9819387077 (Prabhadevi)
Log on to (NCPA) bookmyshow.com
Cost Rs 300
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