Ghungroos tell the tale: Kathak institute to mark 15th anniversary with a grand recital

Indian Express

4 hours ago

The Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha in Kothrud is set to host an evening of rhythm and grace on August 19, with 170 Kathak dancers taking the stage for the concert- Avartan 2025. The grand recital is being presented by the Pune-based Layom Institute of Arts and Media to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
'We founded the institute in 2010 and have trained more than 500 students till now. Today, Layom has branches in Kothrud, Baner, Pashan, and Balewadi, with more than 200 students enrolled. The name Avartan comes from the idea of parikrama or cycle. This programme marks our 15th cycle as a family at Layom,' says Kathak exponent Vedanti Bhagwat Mahadik.
Three generations of dancers will share the stage at Avartan – technically, it extends to four as Mahadik's guru, Pt. Rajendra Gangani of the Jaipur Gharana, will be present as the chief guest.
Pt Gangani, the eighth generation torchbearer of his illustrious family, also heads the Rashtriya Kathak Kendra in Delhi.
The evening will present choreographies that weave together the core elements of Kathak — tala, laya and abhinaya. The repertoire includes Shiv Vandana, Ganesh Vandana, Dhrupad, Chaturang, Trivat Tarana, and Teen Taal.
The performance will feature an ensemble of accomplished artists, such as Abhijit Pataskar on harmonium, Sunil Avachat on flute, Mayur Mahajan on vocals, Yash Soman on tabla, and Apoorva Dravid on pakhawaj, with Mukta Joshi providing dance support.
Over the years, Layom has staged productions such as Rukmini Swayamvar and Badalte Chehre, both of which drew appreciation from classical dance circles. Badalte Chehre was a theatre-based dance production exploring the theme 'never judge a book by its cover.' Another production, Queens of Bollywood, traced the journey of Kathak in cinema – from the iconic Madhubala to contemporary star Alia Bhatt.
Highlighting her students' achievements, Mahadik noted that four have been awarded scholarships by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) under the Union Ministry of Culture, while several others have won national and international accolades in solo and duet formats. Mahadik herself has choreographed for two films, including the acclaimed Marathi movie Bhagirathi Missing.
'With 170 dancers performing together for three-and-a-half hours, Avartan 2025 is not just a recital but a celebration of our journey,' Mahadik said.
(By Viraj Mandar Paranjape, an intern with The Indian Express)