PUNE: To commemorate 38 years of the establishment of ‘Nad-roop’ by Kathak Dance Guru Shama Bhate, a three-day unique solo Kathak Festival ‘Sanchit’ is being organized from the 2nd February to the 4th February 2024 at the MES Auditorium, Balshikshan Mandir, Mayur Colony. The timing for the first two (2nd and 3rd February) days is 5.30 pm onwards while on the third day (4th February), the program will commence at 10 am. The festival is open to all on a first come first served basis, with a few seats reserved for invitees.
‘Sanchit’ will be inaugurated at the hands of Uma Dogra, Chairperson – Advisory Committee of Kathak Kendra Delhi in the presence of Padmashri Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Historian and Art Critic Ashish Mohan Khokar along with renowned dance and music scholar & linguist Manjari Sinha.
Speaking about the festival, Shama Bhate said, “38 years is a long period, and I am blessed to have been able to train five generations of dancers. No other private institute has created so many solo dancers as ‘Nad-roop’. To mark such an auspicious occasion, we wanted a memorable celebration and thus this 3-day festival focusing on Solo performances ‘Sanchit’ was conceptualized. The festival does not have any particular theme as each of the dancers will present her distinctive strength and expression in her Solo.”
Furthermore, she said “Kathak began as a solo dance form but with time, choreographic presentations came to be preferred. But I believe that the true essence of Kathak lies in the solo format, and hence my effort has always been to hone and develop individual Kathak dancers, bringing out their distinctive aspects. I am proud that each of my girls has blossomed into an accomplished solo dancer in her own right.“
The first day of the festival will witness the magical trio performance of Isha Nanal, Shraddha Mukhade, and Shreya Kulkarni, followed by a charismatic solo performance of Shivani Karmarkar Schurfled and Mukti Shri. Avani Gadre, succeeded by Leena Ketkar and Sheetal Kolwalkar will enthrall the audience with their captivating solo dances on the second day of the festival.
Day three will begin with Ameera Patankar, followed by a wonderful duet by Shrikala Joshi and Sheetal Kapole. The festival will conclude with mesmerizing performances by Ketaki Shah and Manasi Deshpande.
Along with the dance recitals by disciples of Shama Bhate, the three-day festival will bring together everyone who has been associated with ‘Nad-roop’ since its inception. It will be a gathering of sorts of alumni, students, accompanists to instrumentalists.
 days is 5.30 pm onwards while on the third day (4th February), the program will commence at 10 am. The festival is open to all on a first come first served basis, with a few seats reserved for invitees.){kind=link}