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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Classical arts an inwards path, says kathak maestro
'Classical arts, be it dance or singing, are an exercise to go inwards and find the natural harmony in senses before interacting with others,' said internationally acclaimed kathak maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani as he delved into the perennial relevance of classical arts. Internationally acclaimed classical artist Pandit Rajendra Gangani performing Kathak at Ramgarhia College in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Manish/HT) Gangani gave a kathak performance at the Ramgarhia College here on Wednesday in an event organised by the Punjab Chapter of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth). The event was aimed at connecting the youth to the classical heritage of India. And this heritage, Gangani argued, was a 'treasure of wisdom' that can help us connect not just with our roots but the inner self. The event featured a spellbinding Kathak recital by Gangani, a legendary Jaipur Gharana exponent and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee. His performance commenced with a powerful Shiv Stuti — 'Bhaksham Suksham Sura Adhinasham Tatpatshath' — set in Teentaal, followed by signature Jaipur Gharana compositions such as Uthan, Ganesh Paran, and the elegant Gajgamini ki Chaal. Through expressive abhinaya, Guruji brought alive a soulful Ram Bhajan, a vivid depiction of Govardhan Leela in Indra Taal, and a lyrical Kavit, concluding with a brilliant Jugalbandi. The classical arts, he said, are based on mastering the rhythms of the human body and our feelings. 'It is hard to master these but the discipline built in learning arts transforms people into composed individuals who are adept in finding the mental and emotional balance required to tread the turbulence of life.' Gagnai is very active on social media and has thousands of followers. This helps him to take his art to the people he once thought were 'way out of reach.' 'I have reached people I never thought I would be able to connect with. I receive regular messages not only appreciating my art but also the ones that show I have been able to trigger wider interest in classical art forms,' he said. Classical dances and singing genres take years to perfect and this is only possible by patronage. And social media, he thinks, is chipping in on this front as well by allowing people to earn by showcasing their art online. 'People can put out their performances online and create a channel to earn without having to compromise on their passion. This enables artists to keep their pursuit of passion going while also spreading the art simultaneously,' he said.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kathak keeps you swasth and swachh: Pandit Rajendra Gangani
With every beat, Pandit Rajendra Gangani's dazzling footwork, elegant hasthaks (hand movements), and deeply emotive abhinaya (expressions) left the audience in sheer awe. His stage presence is nothing short of mesmerising, with each movement reflecting the soul of Kathak itself. As one of the foremost exponents of the Jaipur Gharana style of Kathak, Pt Rajendra has carved a unique space in the classical arts. After his unforgettable performance at the spectacular one-day festival of ghazals , music, and dance, presented by Chowmahalla Palace in association with Parichay Arts Foundation, he sat down with CE to share insights into his journey, art, and the spirit that drives him. Excerpts How did you feel performing at Chowmahalla Palace? Every time I dance, I strive to become a medium that connects the audience to something deeper — something spiritual. I want them to forget everything else and simply lose themselves in the rhythm, the expressions, the music. After a performance at Chowmahalla Palace, a few people came up to me and said they had tears in their eyes while watching me. Moments like that are truly special. If my performance makes someone laugh, cry, or feel any emotion at all, it means I've impacted them in the right way. At the age of four, you began learning Kathak from your father, Pandit Kundanlal Gangani. Can you tell us about your journey? People used to come to our home to learn Kathak from my father. I would watch them intently — my eyes full of curiosity and interest. Before long, I found myself standing beside them, mimicking their gestures. My father saw a spark in me and began to teach me. He wasn't just my father; he was my guru . That's why I've always called him guruji , not papa . My mother supported me wholeheartedly as well. If my father taught me something, she would ask me to show it to her while she was in the kitchen. That encouraged me to practice even more. Until I turned 19, life felt carefree — my father took care of everything at home and continued teaching Kathak. But everything changed the day he passed away. Suddenly, I had to take on all those responsibilities. I had to work twice as hard. I would wake up at 4 am, practice tirelessly and teach Kathak. Even at night, I continued practicing. That phase became a major turning point in my life. My breakthrough came when I performed at a festival called Sharad Chandrika . The audience was amazed — some even said a 'rockstar' had entered the world of Kathak. (laughs) In 1996, I performed in Sweden. Since most people there didn't know what Kathak was, they compared the quick footwork to Michael Jackson's style and began calling me that! Of course, one of the most cherished moments of my journey was receiving the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. It has truly been an eventful and fulfilling journey. Any pre-performance rituals? Even though I still wake up at 4 am and practice diligently, I don't warm up or rehearse right before a performance. I simply step onto the stage and begin. Unlike in Western dance forms, the first few steps in Kathak serve as a natural warm-up. But there is one ritual I always follow: I close my eyes and say to my guru , 'Ab main jaa raha hoon, aap lekar aayenge' (I'm going to perform now — it's you who must guide me). I am the body; guruji is the soul. Can anyone learn Kathak, or is it a talent you're born with? Absolutely — anyone can learn Kathak! Classical dance forms like Kathak are meant for everyone, regardless of age or gender. It's not something you have to be born with; it's something you cultivate with dedication, passion, and practice. Kathak is still considered by many to be a 'feminine' dance form. What are your thoughts on this? Yes, that mentality still exists in some circles. But I'm completely at ease with my identity as a male Kathak dancer. I proudly maintain my mustache — it's a part of who I am — and at the same time, I perform the most graceful movements with confidence. In Kathak, male dancers often portray a wide range of characters, including female ones. But what we express on stage is part of the performance — it's art. It doesn't define who we are off stage. I teach many male dancers, but I don't believe in giving them advice through words. Instead, I lead by example. I show them the steps, demonstrate the discipline, and focus on helping them perfect their craft. How can we encourage more people to learn Kathak? Education and awareness are key. Parents and educational institutions should take steps to introduce children to Kathak. It's not just a dance form — it's a powerful art that nurtures the body, mind, and soul. By showcasing its depth, grace, and cultural richness, we can inspire more people to explore it. Kathak keeps you swasth and swachh!
