Yollay - New York Kathak Festival

Birju Maharaj
Dance
In our ancient and traditional beliefs, freedom of self expression through discipline is path of spirituality. Our traditional and classical forms of art have always taken us to an elevated level of spirituality and this connection infuses our souls with immense fulfillment. Indias well known North Indian classical dance form kathak is among the anthology of varied established cultural art forms. Birju Maharaj Parampara endeavours to bestow the true meaning and discipline of Kathak to its students and carry on the legacy forward. Birju Maharaj Parampara is a registered society founded in 2003, by Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj (elder son of the legendary Kathak maestro, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj), and his wife, Smt. Ruby Mishra. It has been founded with the objective of imparting Kathak training in its purest form. The parampara follows the traditions of the Lucknow Gharana. The parampara nurtures its disciples in the true Guru Shishya Parampara. The institute is affiliated to Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. The following highly distinguished artistes have a kind support to serve as Birju Maharaj Parampara's Patrons: Smt. Girja Devi, Pt. Rajan Mishra, Pt. Sajan Mishra, Pt. Kumar Bose, Sh. Ismail Darbar, Pt. Debu Choudhury. Kalka- Bindadin Gharana: The Lucknow Gharana of Kathak came into existence in the beginning of the 19th century. Prakashji came to the court of Nawab Asaf-ul-Daula and was employed in the court. Later Thakur Prasadji was also employed in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Kalka Prasad and Bindadin Maharaj were also employed in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Wajid Ali Shah himself was a great poet, composer and connoisseur of music and dance.. It is said that Maharaj Kalka Bindadin was the architect of the present form of Lucknow Gharana , which is widely also known as Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. The Kalka Bindadin family provided the form with strength and generations thereafter nurtured their unique style, with the contribution of the Maharaj brothers (Achchan, Shambhu and Lachhu Maharaj) being paramount. The Muslim patrons had no patience with mere technical virtuosity. They wanted to see an art which mirrored life in all its moods. So, the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak came to be characterised as a dance which was graceful, decorative, suggestive, expressive and sensuous. Bhava became the forte of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. In this way their dance became capable of expressing the subtlest nuances of emotion.

Saswati Sen
Dance
Born to a family of legal and medical professionals, Saswati took to dance at an early age. She received her initial training at Delhis Kathak Kendra under the guidance of Smt Reba Vidyarthi. She received the National Scholarship in Performing Arts and graduated to become the prime disciple of Pt Birju Maharaj. Saswati is the proud recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2004-5 and also the Sanskriti Award, the Shringar Mani Award and the Critics Recommendation Award. Saswati today is regarded as an artist with immense versatility and talent and one of the best exponents of the famed Lucknow gharana. She has trained a large number of students, many from overseas. She has acquired the true style of her mentor and incorporates into her own presentation both the lyrical grace and rhythmic virtuosity of kathak. However, her forte is abhinaya which has always received high appreciation. Saswati today is the driving force behind Kalashram, Pt Birju Maharajs dream institution and is its Secretary. She also finds time for her primary avatar as Guru, and teaches the nuances of Kathak to all seekers. Saswati travels extensively at home and abroad disseminating the knowledge she has gained over years of dedication and keeps the Kalashram Kathak community together. She has choreographed several group compositions as well as dance-dramas.

Prashant Shah
Dance
Prashant, a senior disciple of Padma Bhushan Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, is one of the very few critically acclaimed male performer - choreographer residing now in New York. Prashants virtuosity in Kathak technique enables him to perform a vast repertoire with masculine grace without any flowery affectations, makes him one of the outstanding male dancer of his genre today. Born and raised in Ahmedabad and now a US citizen, Prashant feels honored to be the first recipient of SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI YUVA PURASKAR [ National award ] established by President of India in the name of Ustaad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Kathak dance. Prashants unique creative and aesthetical approach in his traditional and experimental presentations of Kathak as a soloist and as a choreographer, has earned him a place in the prestigious empaneled list of ESTABLISHED ARTIST category in ICCR and also a TOP grade artiste of Indian Television artists panel. Prashant is regularly commissioned by international choreographers to create collaborative works of Kathak with other dance styles like Hip Hop, Belly Dancing, Flamenco, Bharat Natyam, Modern and Contemporary as a dancer & choreographer all over Europe, North America & Asia. As a leading dance member of Kadamb Performing Unit, as a soloist and also as a collaborative choreographer, Prashant has performed extensively all across the globe where his performances are appreciated and acclaimed by both, critics and connoisseurs. To name a new, his presentations are well received with rave reviews in The Hindu, The New York Times, The Statesman, The Guardian, The Independent, San Francisco Chronicle, Dancing Times, The Star Ledger, Voice of Dance and more from respected and eminent dance critics.

Kathak Ensemble
Dance
The Ensemble was founded by Janaki Patrik, who was trained in classical music and dance by Pandit Birju Maharaj. Janaki is also trained in classical western music, dance and ballet.

Pandit Satya Narayana Charka
Dance
Pandit Satya Narayana Charka is an esteemed dancer, choreographer and teacher specializing in Kathak dance. He is a versatile artist whose life and achievements have been colorful and international. He studied under Shri R.K. Shukla, Smt. Maya Rao, Pt. Shambhu Maharaj, Shri B.D. Verma and Pt. Birju Maharaj. S.N. Charka graduated in classical dance from the Government College of Music and Dance, Hyderabad, and Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. He received his post graduate degree from the Natya Institute of Choreography.

Anjali Nath
Dance
Anjali Nath is one of the most dynamic artists of a new generation of Kathak soloists. Known for her swift chakkars (spins), crisp footwork and delicate abhinaya, Anjali's solo performances are rooted deeply in the kathak tradition, dazzling to watch, and deeply moving. Anjali carries forward a significant legacy of dedication to high artistry, education and training of the next generation of kathak artists and students, and promotion and evolution of the vast and rich art of kathak dance through performance and teaching. Anjali is a disciple of renowned Kathak maestro, the late Pandit Chitresh Das, and has been dancing with the Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC), based in the San Francisco Bay Area, since 2003. Anjali spent 10 years training directly under the guidance of her Guruji in California, teaching and directing at the Chhandam School and performing in various community arts education programs, several award-winning company productions and has toured extensively with the company throughout the US and India at prestigious venues and cities such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Roy and Edna Disney Cal/Arts Theater in Los Angeles, Kohler Arts Center, National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai, Birla Sabhagar in Kolkata, Bangalore Club, at the Shaniwar Wada Festival of Pune, and several International Kathak Festivals. In addition to solo performances, most recently, Anjali has performed in the critically acclaimed CDDC performances including "Shiva," Pt. Das' last work, "Shabd," featuring Pt. Das' innovative technique of Kathak Yoga, and played the lead as Sita in "Sita Haran" and "Ramayana." In 1997, Anjali was introduced to the rich and vast world of Kathak dance by Gretchen Hayden, senior disciple of Pandit Das and Artistic Director of Chhandika, while at Tufts University. Since returning to Boston in 2013, Anjali has served as a senior artist and instructor for Chhandika, based in the Boston area and serving greater New England. Anjali serves as co-director of the Chhandika School and Youth Ensemble, organizing institutional activities for Chhandika, student participation in community activities and artistic collaborations across genres. Anjali plays a substantial role in building bridges within and between communities as a teacher, choreographer, and ambassador for the art. In 2013, Anjali also joined the artist roster of the Young Audiences of Massachusetts performing extensively throughout MA for school children and engaging these young audiences in the vast world of Kathak dance. Anjali holds a B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University and a Masters in Public Health from Boston University. She has passionately pursued her career in Kathak and public health simultaneously for 19 years working with communities and engaging youth in leadership and activities to improve self-esteem and overall health and well-being. Anjali believes in the art as a vehicle for service to society and a path to self-awareness available to everyone. As an artist and teacher Anjali strives to highlight the relevance, universality, and overall benefits of the multi-faceted art of Kathak for everyone, regardless of age, gender or culture.

Shivangi Dake Robert
Dance
Shivangi Dake was made for dancing. Her elegance, grace and a mesmerizing beauty flows through all her classical performances. A talented child of the post modern world, she yet draws her inspiration from the ageless heritage of Indian dance. Shivangi is a tangential offshoot, going where none of her family has gone before. Born in the early eighties, her artistic journey began at the age of eight. Her latent talents were revealed and refined under the guidance of her guru Dr. Sadhana Naphade in Nagpur. She has also learnt from the renowned Kathak Guru Ms. Shama Bhate in Pune for two years. In the year 2003, she reached her first milestone when she was awarded a National Scholarship (in the field of Kathak) by the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India. This was just for starters. Over the years, the young artiste has been a part of numerous workshops conducted by icons like Pt. Birju Maharaj and Pt. Rajendra Gangani in her search for artistic excellence. She completed a Master of Fine Arts (Specializing in Kathak) from Nagpur University in 2005. She also completed specialized Indian classical degrees: Visharad (Graduation) and Alankar (Post Graduation), both in Kathak, from Gandharva Mahavidyalay, Mumbai. Shivangi passed another major milestone upon winning two consecutive Gold Medals from the Association of Indian Universities, and was invited to perform at the South Asian Universities Youth Fest in Jammu. Then followed international performances in Mauritius and the French Reunion Islands. Not content only as a learner, she is passionate about imparting her art to young and old alike, instilling in them a love for beauty, grace and excellence. She has been instructing students of Kathak at Apsaras Arts Dance Company in Singaporei. Shivangi has also given several performances on National Television including a dance reality show on Zee TV. Her name figured among the top 20 finalists selected from among tens of thousands of participants. Shivangis future is full of promise and lan. The youthful classical exponent is on the threshold of a global breakthrough, taking the graceful beauty of Kathak to audiences worldwide. She represents India poised.

Maithili Patel
Dance
Maithili Patel is a Kathak dancer and choreographer from Dubai who believes in empowerment through art and attempts to spread social awareness using her art as a medium through workshops and lecture-demonstrations. She began her journey at the age of 4 and has been mentored by renowned Kathak exponent, Guru Pali Chandra, for the past nine years at Gurukul Studios. Applauded for her grace, elegance, and intellect, she has performed at numerous events all over the world including in The London Parliament House of Lords; Modhera Dance Festival, Gujarat; in various other locations around Lebanon, India, the UAE, the UK, Belgium, and the USA. Maithili has also been a part of various panel discussions that talk about the inheritance of Asian culture and remaining connected to tradition in the modern world

Sunena Gupta
Dance
Sunena Gupta is a disciple of Guru Mulla Afsar Khan at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. She is currently also a third year student at the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a degree in Politics and Economics. At Berkeley she is the captain and choreographer of the competitive Kathak team. Sunena produces Kathak shows to raise funds for charities in Singapore during her summer vacations. Her most recent production, Umeed: Colors of Hope exhibited Sunenas passion for using dance to create awareness on social issues. She told the story of the journey of a young girl experiencing mental health, chronic illness, and self-image issues. Sunena is performing an excerpt of this production, which was performed in Singapore and London, at the New York Kathak Festival. Through her journey thus far, Sunenas passions and sincere efforts have been rewarded. Sunena was honored with the Natya Visharad best student title in her eighth-year diploma examination. Her shows in Singapore have seen the attendance of High Commissioners of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to Singapore. Sunena has performed extensively in Singapore, California and London, and notably twice for welcome events of PM Sri Narendra Modi in Singapore.

Nrityadham
Dance
Kathak Dance School founded by Guru Prerana Deshpande, disciple of Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate.

Brittny Chandra
Dance
Founder and Director, Brittny Chandra, hails from Pandit Kundan Lal jis Jaipur Gharana. Brittny has obtained her Visharad Purna from Bharati Vidyapeeth (Pune, India) with Distinction.

Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh
Dance
Hello, I am a senior disciple of late Guru Asha Tai Joglekar, and have earned masters degree (Alankar) in Kathak from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal. I have also been groomed by stalwarts like Pandit Suresh Talwalkarji for Taal and Laya (rhythm and speed) and by the doyen of Kathak Pandit Birju Maharajji. I have been conferred the title of Shringar Mani as an extraordinary dancer in Kal ke Kalakar, organized by Sur Singar Samsad. I have been fortunate to perform at various prestigious venues in India and USA in the last 25 years like Madison square, MET museum, March of Dimes, Natya festival 2018 in North Carolina, etc. and have had the opportunity to train next generation of dancers for last 19 years. Im currently based in New Jersey, USA. Please do let me know if any opportunities where Ill be able to showcase my talent and expertise in Kathak dance style in near future. Attached is my profile, please check and let me know. http://linkedin.com/in/pallavishaikh https://www.facebook.com/pallavikathak.artist/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgGYQjyWT20bmR96swEvCeg Regards, Pallavi

Courtyard Dancers
Dance
Courtyard Dancers is a vibrant and diverse group that embodies the idea of multiplicity. We are engineers, doctors, bankers, lawyers, teachers and students who aspire to preserve the core and expand the boundaries of classical Indian dance, especially the North Indian form Kathak. Kathak exemplifies the synthesis of Islam and Hinduism, and signifies to us the act of pluralism practiced every day. For us, dancing is a form of critical social engagement-to connect to the traditional arts of India but within a contemporary framework of aesthetics and progressive politics.

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh
Dance
A rising name in the world of dance, known for her powerful and evocative storytelling, technical precision, delicacy and grace, Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is breaking new ground, bringing her clairvoyant voice to the contemporary Kathak stage. Trained for two decades by Kathak icon, the late Pandit Chitresh Das, Farah was a lead dancer in the Chitresh Das Dance Company, and is now an internationally touring soloist, performing to sold out shows of her original choreographic works, most notably, The Twentieth Wife telling the tale of Empress Noor Jahan, through a full-length performance of dance, theater, live music, and multimedia, based on the novel by author, Indu Sundaresan. Farah at 12 years old. The Early Years In 1971, Farahs parents, Amjad and Najma Noorani moved to the United States from Karachi, Pakistan, both of whom were born in Bombay, India and moved to Pakistan post-partition of India and Pakistan. Born in 1977 in Salinas, California, Farah, along with her siblings were always encouraged by their parents to follow the path that called out to each of them. Each child ended up in a career in social service, which for Farah, has been through the arts. When Farah was in her first year of college, she was eager to continue dancing, of which she had been doing since the age of 5, so she enrolled in an unexpected course of Indian classical dance offered at her school, San Francisco State University. Upon hearing who taught the course Pandit Chitresh Das Farahs parents encouraged to take the class knowing of his mastery in the form. This decision in January of 1996 would forever shape Farahs future. In addition to continuing to take the kathak course at SFSU, and eventually becoming Pandit Das teaching assistant, Farah enrolled in her GuruJis institution, Chhandam School of Kathak. In 1998, Farah joined Pandit Das professional company, the Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC) and began her career as a performer of kathak. Shortly thereafter, Farah began to teach in Chhandam, and now boasts over 15 years of teaching experience, overseeing multiple branches of Pandit Das institution and working with students of all ages. In 2007, Farah debuted as a kathak soloist, and has since performed to great acclaim throughout the U.S. and India, and is also the recipient of numerous grants and awards based on her merit and potential for future excellence in the field of kathak.

Labonee Mohanta
Dance
Labonee Mohanta, internationally renowned Kathak artist and disciple of the late maestro Pandit Chitresh Das, began her training in Kathak dance at an early age of 8. A proficient and highly dynamic solo artist, Labonee has performed traditional Kathak solos to great acclaim in dance festivals throughout the US, Canada, France, and India. She also employs Panditjis innovation Kathak Yoga where she simultaneously sings the rhythmic cycle, dances complex mathematical patterns, and plays the harmonium. Labonee was a member of the renowned Chitresh Das Dance Company and toured with Panditjis award-winning productions including Shabd, Sita Haran, and Shiva to name a few. She served as branch director and senior teacher at the Chhandam School of Kathak for many years. She now regularly teaches and mentors students around the world in the art of Kathak. As a second generation Indian in America, Labonee plays a prominent role in preserving the cultural heritage of India in the East and spreading these values to the West. She represents the next generation of Indian classical artists and continues the mission of promoting, educating, and thus preserving the rich heritage of Kathak.

Barkha Patel
Dance
Barkha Patelis a Kathak dancer whose passion and inherent talent for the art form has been evident from a very young age. She is a student ofGuru Rachna Sarang, who has been trained by great Gurus such as Pandit Sunderprashadji (Jaipur Gharana), Pandit Lacchu Maharajji and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharajji (Lucknow Gharana).

Srijan Dance Center
Dance
Srijan Dance Center, which is a creative unit of the Suparc Enterprises Inc., founded in 1992, started off with a handful of talented and dedicated Indian dance students, and now has 80 regular dance and yoga students. It is one of the leading young dancers groups in the tri-state area, and has successfully introduced Indian culture to NYC libraries, museums, public schools, Lincoln Center, Flushing Town Hall, and other important establishments. Srijan dance Center is also actively involved in NYCs Department of Educations Project Arts where it conducts story telling, yoga, and dance workshops for students, their parents, and teachers. At Srijan, students are encouraged to practice dedication through class structures; Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced courses are available in Indian classical dance, Kathak, and Indian folk dances. Weekly classes culminate in annual tests and biannual dance showcases.

Tarika Nath
Dance
Shivangini Academy, located in the Houston area (Sugar Land, TX) is a unique school focusing on teaching the beautiful dances and musical instruments of northern India. The dance wing of the school focuses on teaching Kathak based Bhav Nritya, and other traditional folk dances. The percussion instruments wing of the school focuses on teaching Tabla and Dholak. The school is currently attended by over 250 enthusiastic young children, teenagers, and ladies. The school is run by Mrs. Shiva Mathur who has over 20 years of experience in teaching. She began her career in Lucknow (India). Her gurus include professionals at the Bhatkhande Institute in Lucknow, India, and her own very talented grandmother Late Mrs. Shanti Sahai Nalini who was a writer, poetess, radio artist, dance teacher, and a renowned literary figure in Lucknow.

Anindita Neogy Anaam
Dance
Anindita is the first Indian Classical Dancer to be chosen as Secretary, Wisconsin Dance Council Board and actively participating in propagating the dance education in the state. Anindita is a disciple of doyens of Jaipur and Lucknow schools of Kathak, Pandit Rajendra Gangani and Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj. Her dance is a blend of both the schools of Kathak. She has performed in major festivals of India, Germany and USA including Delhi International Arts Festival, Jayadev Samaroh, Devdasi International Dance Festival, International Dance and Music Festival Cuttack, Kultur Nacht, Bremen Durga Puja, Logging and Heritage Festival, Rhythms of the world, Nritya Samarpana, BAGC Chicago to name a few. She is also a North American Indian Raga Fellow. Anindita has been covered by major national dailies of USA and India including Times of India, the Hindu, Indian Express, the Statesman, HT, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Nav Bharat Times, Asian Age, Telegraph, Chicago Tribune, GreenBay Channel 5, Eagle Herald and so on.

Ruee Gawarikar
Dance
Ruee Gawarikar is a Kathak and contemporary dancer, choreographer, teacher, and a visual artist based in New Jersey. She started her training in Kathak a classical dance style from northern India, under the tutelage of the renowned dancer Shrimati Prabhatai Marathe, of the Kala Chaya Institute of Dance. She continued her education in US under the guidance of Pandit Satya Narayana Charka. Ruee has been a company artist with Surati, The East West School of Dance, and Kala Chhaya. Being a versatile dancer, Ruee has been part of several major productions like the Kathak ballet Shanti Mantra, Ramayan, Tyohaar-Festivals of India and Krishna Leela. She has performed extensively in India and in US, in prestigious venues like the Ganesh Festival of Pune, Acchan Maharaj Mahotsav at the Kamani Auditorium in Delhi, World Financial Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square, and the Indian Consulate in New York. Ruee is also a choreographer, working in both traditional and contemporary dance forms. She likes to experiment with various art styles and media, which is evident in her choreographies like the abstract dance drama Kadhi He Kadhi Te where she has collaborated with other dancers, poets, artists, and theater groups. Ruee is the founder and artistic director of Daad Arts, a New Jersey based performing and visual arts company. She has been a visual art instructor at the Bharti Vidyapeeths College of Fine Arts in India. She is passionate about art education and continues to teach dance as well as fine arts. She currently lives, works, and teaches in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

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