Page 58 - Mann Ki Baat English

in that form, making it an in New Delhi as an ICCR scholar
unparalleled showcase. under the kind guidance of
I remember the Kathakali Pandit Jaikishan Maharaj.
Intended to be a year-long
and Kutiyattam nights my
cultural-exchange scholarship,
parents organised. True to
my immersion unexpectedly
tradition, these marathon
stretched into nine years. Eager
performances held the audience
to absorb every explanation
captivated by the epics till the
from my Guru ji, I completely
morning, allowing the artists the
surrendered myself to the
interpretive freedom and deep
deep and demanding learning
engagement demanded by the
required by the Guru-Shishya
art forms. Parampara framework.

‘Rama Pattabhishekam’, the grand
Khajuraho Dance Festival, 2010
finale of a Kathakali night at the Théâtre
Gérard Philippe near Paris, 1978 (photo by
Solo recital by Isabelle Anna,
Roger Filipuzzi)
with Guru Pt Jaikishan Maharaj
Surrounded by multi-cultural Shortly after graduating in 2006,
creativity, it was only in 1998, a I became part of the ICCR-
few years after the opening of empaneled Kathak soloists,
a Kathak class at Mandapa by an honour that cemented my
the brilliant performer Sharmila commitment and legitimised
Sharma, that my personal my identity as a multicultural
journey truly began. My curiosity artist. This achievement
finally drove me to 'try a class.' brought immense pride to my
The dizzying pirouettes, the parents. Their unconditional
percussive footwork, and the encouragement and constant
rhythmic games—the grace presence, even from afar, were a
and complexity of Kathak had profound blessing and gave me
won me over! In 2001, I joined the extra strength to pursue my
the prestigious Kathak Kendra own path.

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