Lucknow: The cultural evening “Parampara 2026 – An Evening of Music and Dance” witnessed a grand celebration of Kathak at the Kala Mandapam auditorium in Kaiserbagh, organised by the Padmaja Kala Sansthan. The event was conceptualised and directed by internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent Dr. Akanksha Srivastava.
The event was graced by renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi as the Chief Guest, while noted litterateur and educationist Vidya Bindu Singh attended as the Guest of Honour. The guests were welcomed by the organization’s president Subhash Chandra Srivastava.
During the event, distinguished artists were honoured with the Padmaja Samman, including senior vocalist Padma Gidwani, eminent tabla maestro Pandit Ravinath Mishra, Kathak artists Dr. Meera Dixit and Manjula Pant, and noted poet Jyoti Sinha.
The programme featured more than 80 students, aged between four and fifty, presenting a series of captivating Kathak performances. The opening act, “Rhythm of Courage,” delivered a powerful message of perseverance through expressive dance and storytelling, earning widespread appreciation from the audience.
The highlight of the evening was the Kathak dance drama “Janani,” conceptualised, written, and directed by Dr. Akanksha Srivastava. With music composed by Brijendra Nath Srivastava, the performance beautifully depicted the emotional bond between a mother and child, blending grace and narrative depth. Tabla accompaniment was provided by Pandit Vikas Mishra, while dialogues were rendered by Priyanka Singh and Dr. Srivastava herself.
Another notable presentation, “Laya Spandan,” showcased the pure classical essence of Kathak. The performance highlighted intricate rhythmic patterns, traditional compositions such as thaat, aamad, tukde, paran, and jugalbandi in teentaal (16 beats), demonstrating the technical brilliance and aesthetic appeal of the dance form. The musical ensemble featured vocalist Dinkar Dwivedi, sitar by Dr. Naveen Mishra, and Mohan Veena by Dr. Shikha Sharma.
The event concluded on a high note with a packed auditorium of art enthusiasts applauding the performers. Participants and contributors were felicitated for their efforts, making “Parampara 2026” a memorable celebration of India’s rich classical dance heritage.
