Lucknow: A vibrant Kathak evening was organised at the Kalamandapam auditorium of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya under its centenary year celebrations. The event was jointly hosted by the university and the Bhatkhande Alumni Association.
The cultural programme was directed by noted alumna Dr. Meera Dixit and showcased a series of classical dance performances reflecting the richness of the Kathak tradition.
The evening commenced with a solo Kathak recital by Dr. Raghavendra Pratap Singh. His performance featured a Ram Stuti set in Teentaal, incorporating intricate elements such as upaj, thaat, aamad, tihai, tukde, paran, and gat. The recital concluded with a devotional piece dedicated to Lord Shiva.
This was followed by a group Kathak performance based on the theme of Holi, titled “Aaj Maai Mohan Khere Hori”. The performers included Chitrangada Mishra, Surabhi Nigam, Tanushree, Arindam Singh, and Mohit Gautam, who captivated the audience with their coordinated and expressive performance.
The performances were supported by talented accompanying artists, including Johar Pal on vocals, Nitish Singh on tabla, and Mohammad Zeeshan on sarangi.
The event was graced by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh as the chief guest. The programme was efficiently conducted by the Alumni Association Secretary Girish Chandra Bahuguna.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Seema Bhardwaj. Among those present were Alok Kumar Pandey, Neeraj Sharma, Dr. Poonam Srivastava and several members of the Alumni Association.
The Kathak evening was a fitting tribute to the university’s rich artistic legacy, celebrating classical dance in its purest form as part of its centenary celebrations.
