Celebrating the guru-shishya parampara
Kathak dancer and late Pt Birju Maharaj's granddaughter Shinjini Kulkarni marked an important milestone in her artistic journey with her ganda bandhan ceremony, held on Guru Purnima.
She celebrated the occasion with her guru, Jai Kishan Maharaj, family and patrons of classical arts at the India Habitat Centre on Thursday. Ganda Bandhan is a traditional ceremony involving the guru tying a ganda on the student's wrist, formally acknowledging the student as worthy of carrying forward the guru's legacy
A glimpse of Shinjini's ganda bandhan ceremony that took place on Guru Purnima day
'Becoming a part of my guru's legacy makes me feel more responsible – as if a new life has started for me as a performer.
After years of practice, persistence and performances, this is a moment earned with the guru's trust, and now I must carry forward his artistic vision,' shared Shinjini.
You Can Also Check:
Delhi AQI
|
Weather in Delhi
|
Bank Holidays in Delhi
|
Public Holidays in Delhi
Anita Kulkarni, Tirath Ajmani and Sumitra Guha
Reflecting on the celebration, Shinjini said, 'Having all my loved ones, many of whom have been my gurus, made it even more special. And seeing my nana and guru's (Pt Birju Maharaj) disciple Tirath Ajmani ji there felt like receiving my grandfather's blessings'
Sharon Lowen and Karuna Goenka with Shinjini
Chetan Seth, Praful Patel and Rani Khanum with Jai Kishan Maharaj
Akram Khan meeting Jai Kishan Maharaj; Wasifuddin Dagar
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
Sounds of dhol tasha reverberate as pathaks prepare to welcome Bappa
Nashik: The open grounds and riverbanks of the Godavari are once again alive with the powerful beats of dhol and tasha, and chants of "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jay" and "Ganapati Bappa Morya. " As hands rise and fall in rhythmic unison, the vibrant practice sessions of Dhol Tasha Pathaks mark the beginning of festivities. With Gurupurnima just over, preparations are in full swing for Maharashtra's grandest celebration. "We perform the pujan in the temple of Ganapati – revered as the God of art and intelligence. This is the time of the year when enrolments begin, and people from all walks of life join the pathak – which is an experience in itself," said Pritam Bhamare of Simhagarjana Dhol Tasha Pathak. According to Bhamare, who also heads the association of dhol tasha pathaks, the number of participants and new squads is growing steadily every year. "People from all classes – students, corporate employees, managers, professionals – are joining the squads," he added. For many, the practice is not just about performance, but passion. "The sound of the drums and the energy displayed by the volunteers always attracts me. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This is the first time I am holding the drums. I've been waiting all year for this," said Kartiki Patil, a young enthusiast. "Last year, I was in Std XII and my parents didn't allow me to join." Children as young as 7 and adults as old as 53 are part of the squads, which vary in size from 80 to 300 members. Practice sessions typically begin with the newcomers, while seasoned members join in later, mostly about ten days before the main events. Despite no monetary compensation, the passion doesn't waver. "These are music lovers. Many see it as a recreational activity," Bhamare explained. "Those looking for active entertainment join the squads – they sweat it out and enjoy every bit of it." Ami Chheda of Sahastranaad sees it as more than just an art form. "This is a stress buster and a meaningful community gathering. Instead of spending time at cafes or joints, people come together here for a cause." She adds, "It's heartening to see youngsters keeping the tradition alive, practising their hobby, and de-stressing as they beat the drums, shout, jump, and move freely – all in rhythm. That's why the numbers grow every year, and the elders too refuse to leave." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
Bonding over fragrances at weekend scent socials
Through scent-making workshops, the intention is to bring individuals together for unforgettable explorations of fragrance Y ou know that moment: a specific aroma hits, and suddenly you're not just smelling – you are reliving a memory. That's the magic of scent, and why perfumes are incredibly personal. Sounds like you? Imagine this: spending a weekend with your friends, surrounded by an array of oils and extracts. 'Scent exploration opens people up, both emotionally and creatively,' say perfumers, as they suggest that with the boom in the homegrown perfume sector, scent-making has become big in the immersive experiences sector. An artisanal perfumery workshop isn't just an outing – it's an olfactory adventure waiting to happen. 'Workshops offer a chance to explore scents more intimately' 'Workshops offer a chance to explore scents more intimately' You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi These workshops serve as an introduction to perfumery. 'Through these workshops, the intention is to bring individuals together for unforgettable explorations of fragrance. People want to smell a certain way, and so they explore perfume workshops where they can create a scent which is uniquely theirs,' says Pune-based perfumer Vrinda Dhakane, founder of Casa De Vayu. 'In a perfume-making workshop, you slow down, smell everything with intention and discover what notes make you feel something. Whether it's nostalgia, calm, seduction, or pure joy. In an age of hyper-curation, there's something deeply luxurious about making something that's just yours,' says Vineet S Arora, founder of Rad Lvng – a brand that organises perfume workshops across the country. Scents connect us back to memories Noopur Lidbide, head of content, Trove Experiences, which organises workshops across metro cities, says, 'With perfumery in particular, hosts and participants are drawn to how it activates our olfactory sense. Scents are deeply personal and nostalgic. They unwittingly connect us back to memories. That inherent fascination has always been there, but workshops offer an opportunity to explore scents more intimately, by understanding the craft'. 'These artisanal perfumery workshops open up the once-guarded world of scent creation to people who are curious, passionate, and willing to trust their noses,' says sixth-generation perfumer Pallavi Bhatia. Added advantage – you make new friends who love new scents as much as you do. Scents are deeply personal and nostalgic What's in store at a perfumery workshop The workshop is designed as an immersive journey through the art of perfumery – approachable, hands-on, and sensorial, says Vineet, as he shares what the workshops entail: The workshop starts with an introduction to the fragrance pyramid. Understand the top, middle (heart) and base notes and how each layer unfolds over time Then the host dives into scent families. Participants explore up to 12 olfactory categories, from fresh citrus and dreamy florals to deep woods and warm gourmands. The session also teaches fundamentals of blending, that is, how to balance notes, avoid overpowering combinations and create depth. It's not just technical; it's intuitive From attars and to eau de parfum, participants get to learn the difference in strength, composition and application of scents Create your perfume, guided by expert tips and led by instinct. Give it a unique name The session also teaches fundamentals of blending, that is, how to balance notes, avoid overpowering combinations and create depth. It's not just technical; it's intuitive (Location: Unlocked, Gurgaon) Tips for a curious beginner Avoid over-sniffing. Smell coffee to reduce olfactory fatigue Take time with each scent, decipher the notes Use the fragrance strips and the fanning technique to smell Enquire about the sillage, projection and longevity of the scent you create Store your DIY scent in a dark bottle The idea is to make the scent-making process accessible and easy by introducing them to common notes like rose, lavender, sandalwood Rachit Verma, who recently conducted a workshop by Vivre Experiences in Gurgaon 'Workshops break scent prejudices' 'We often assume that someone with an extroverted personality will gravitate toward loud, intense perfumes. But that theory falls flat within the first ten minutes of any workshop. People don't just choose scents based on who they are,' says Vineet. 'It's not always about personality; it's about memory, context, and desire. So much of it is about breaking scent prejudice and that moment of exploration is what makes the workshop so magical,' he adds. Pallavi Bhatia, founder of Olfa Originals, says, 'People are drawn to scent memories they didn't know they missed. We had someone once recreate the exact smell of their grandmother's shawl without realising it: vetiver, saffron, and a hint of clove.' Perfumer Akash Sharma says, 'We have observed that either participants want to create something new or create a version of a branded perfume they like.' Vineet adds, 'The workshop isn't just about blending oils; it's about self-expression. ' A perfume workshop isn't just about blending oils; it's about self-expression 'Women increasingly gravitate towards relatively woody scents like cedarwood, or ones with refreshing scents of spices like cinnamon, star anise, and even cumin,' observes perfumer Vrinda, who conducts perfumery workshops across the country An artisanal perfume that I made myself is the best gift I can give to my friends Avantika, an attendee at a recent perfumery workshop Popular scents Floral: Jasmine, rose, lavender, lily Woody: Sandalwood, oud, patchouli, cedarwood Aqua: Mandarin, lemon Spicy: Pink pepper, cardamom, clove, cinnamon Fruity: Berries, orange, apple, peach Gourmand: Vanilla, coffee A scent atelier (Pic: @radlvng)
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Time of India
Celebrating the guru-shishya parampara
Shinjini Kulkarni with her gurus Jai Kishan Maharaj and Deepak Maharaj and aunt Mamta Maharaj Kathak dancer and late Pt Birju Maharaj's granddaughter Shinjini Kulkarni marked an important milestone in her artistic journey with her ganda bandhan ceremony, held on Guru Purnima. She celebrated the occasion with her guru, Jai Kishan Maharaj, family and patrons of classical arts at the India Habitat Centre on Thursday. Ganda Bandhan is a traditional ceremony involving the guru tying a ganda on the student's wrist, formally acknowledging the student as worthy of carrying forward the guru's legacy A glimpse of Shinjini's ganda bandhan ceremony that took place on Guru Purnima day 'Becoming a part of my guru's legacy makes me feel more responsible – as if a new life has started for me as a performer. After years of practice, persistence and performances, this is a moment earned with the guru's trust, and now I must carry forward his artistic vision,' shared Shinjini. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Anita Kulkarni, Tirath Ajmani and Sumitra Guha Reflecting on the celebration, Shinjini said, 'Having all my loved ones, many of whom have been my gurus, made it even more special. And seeing my nana and guru's (Pt Birju Maharaj) disciple Tirath Ajmani ji there felt like receiving my grandfather's blessings' Sharon Lowen and Karuna Goenka with Shinjini Chetan Seth, Praful Patel and Rani Khanum with Jai Kishan Maharaj Akram Khan meeting Jai Kishan Maharaj; Wasifuddin Dagar
