Lucknow: The Birju Maharaj Kathak Institute, an autonomous organization under the Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, celebrated the successful conclusion of its Summer Kathak Dance Workshop with a vibrant cultural showcase on Saturday. The institute, renowned for its contribution to the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of Kathak and Indian classical arts, has been nurturing talent through courses ranging from hobby classes to diploma and Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) programmes.
The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from a diverse age group, with students ranging from five-year-old children to senior participants aged nearly 75 years. A total of 78 students showcased their talent during the grand finale.
The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp in the presence of Dr. Kumkum Dhar, Chairperson of the Birju Maharaj Kathak Institute, Dr. Mithilesh Tiwari, Vice-Chairperson, and chief guest Ms. Sumona S. Pandey, Programme Head, All India Radio Lucknow.
The cultural performances began with a soulful rendition of “Hanuman Ashtakam,” dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Senior students then presented a traditional Kathak performance in Dhamar Taal (14 beats), beautifully demonstrating the elegance, discipline, and classical richness of the dance form.
Emerging performers followed with a presentation in Teentaal, where participants from different age groups shared the stage together. One of the highlights of the evening was a charming performance by young artists based on the Radha-Krishna theme, featuring the popular Dadra composition “Roko Na Dagar Mero Shyam.” Their expressive storytelling and graceful movements captivated the audience.
The concluding act was a grand dance drama based on the life of Lord Rama. The production depicted significant episodes from the Ramayana, including the eternal bond of Sita and Rama, the Surpanakha episode, the Maricha incident, Sita’s abduction, the years of exile, and Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya. The presentation offered a powerful artistic portrayal of Indian cultural values and the ideals embodied by Maryada Purushottam Shri Rama.
The musical accompaniment played a vital role in enhancing the performances. Anand Dixit handled tabla accompaniment and music arrangement, while Krishna Maurya provided synthesizer support and vocals. Meena Verma contributed vocal accompaniment, and Nitish Bharti enriched the performances with dholak and side rhythm support.
The recital narration (padhant) and choreography were directed by Dr. Upasana Dixit, whose guidance enabled participants to prepare and deliver polished performances within a short period. Her efforts were widely appreciated by the audience and organizers alike.
The successful conclusion of the workshop reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to preserving India’s rich classical heritage while inspiring new generations to embrace and celebrate the art of Kathak.
