Kathak Dance Recital organized by JKAACL Jammu

JAMMU 29 Oct : Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised Katthak Dance Recital by the renowned artist
Manju Wazir and doctor Priya Dutta at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian
classical dance. It is the classical dance form from Uttar Pradesh. The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the
traveling bards in ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.

In the begining Shri Bharat Singh, Secretary, JKAACL welcomed the guests and artists. He said that there was a long
pending demand for organising classical based programs in Jammu and I am sure that today the audience will be
enthralled by the classical dance presentations by these artists. He further added that the Academy will be
organizing such programs in future also.

The program began with the presentations by Manju Wazir, a renowned Kathak dancer hailing from the crown state
of India Jammu and Kashmir. She has attained Visharad in Kathak from Gandharva Mahavidhyala Mandal. She has
completed a post graduate diploma of 5 years in Kathak dance from Katha Kendra, New Delhi. Currently, she is
actively involved as a troupe member of J&K cultural academy by performing all over the country. She is also a
member of the Cultural Council of the Government of J&K. The program began with Shiv Vandana which was
followed by Thumri Malika. The presentation of Fusion of Kathak on Dogri songs was lauded by the audience. The
artists who presented thses presentations included Aarushi Gupta, Samiksha Purohit, Abantika Dasgupta, Vrinda
Kackar, Deeskha Bhargava, Nupur Jain and Manju Wazir.

This followed presentations by Dr Priya Dutta and her group. A Kathak dancer, Priya has been associated with the
Institute of Music and Fine Arts for the last nineteen years. She started her own academy, Nrityanjali Classical Dance
Academy, to promote Kathak. She completed her graduation in Kathak dance and then went to Birju Maharaj’s
Kathak Kendera to get training under him. Under the guidance of Birju Maharaj, she went to Shriram Bhartiya Kala
Kendra, New Delhi, and completed her diploma successfully. Then she went to Chandigarh to pursue her master’s in
Kathak from Punjab University. In the beginning the group presented Ganesh Vandana by Dr Priya Dutta , Shivani
Kapoor, Ankita Yadav , Ritika, Sunidhi Banerjee, Manu, Sonia, Shivam Shukla and Umesh kumar. This followed by
Dogri Fusion by Dr.Priya Dutta, Shivani Kapoor, Ankita Yadav , Saba , Ritika, Sunidhi , Manu and Sonia. In there last
performance the group presented Kathak Subsonic by Dr Priya Dutta, Shivani Kapoor, Ankita Yadav , Anandita Dutt ,
Sumukhi , Sonakshi Singh, Manu, Sonia, Umesh, Shivam Shukla, Priyal Kachroo, , Pranvi Sanga, Anaya Singh, Aadhya
Kapoor , Aadeesha Kapoor, Aadya Sharma, Swara Sharma, Ojasvi Gupta and Maithili.
Dr. Shahnawaz , Editor cum Cultural Officer Gojri presented the vote of Thanks.