PUNE: The remarkable story of environmentalist Padmashree Saalumarada Thimmakka will be celebrated through the immersive dance production ‘Unnayan’, presented by ArtHub and renowned Kathak exponent Guru Shama Bhate’s Nad-Roop in collaboration with Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) on Saturday 16th November 2024, 7.00 pm onwards at BORI’s Open-air Theatre. Entry to the program is free for all on a first-come, first-served basis with a few seats reserved for invitees.

Conceptualized by Guru Shama Bhate, ‘Unnayan’ pays tribute to the transformative journeys of Saalumarada Thimmakka and other pioneering Indian women environmentalists in a powerful Kathak narrative. ‘Thimmakka’, who at 113, despite facing immense personal challenges, has transformed barren landscapes around Hulikal and Kudur in Karnataka by planting and nurturing over eight thousand trees along the highway. Her legacy was honoured by the Padmashree Award in 2019 and she was recognized as one of BBC’s 100 influential women in environmentalism. ‘Unnayan’ brings Thimmakka’s inspiring journey to life, portraying the emotional depth and resilience of her work.

“Unnayan is more than a performance,” explains Guru Shama Bhate. “It is a celebration of India’s environmental heritage and the remarkable women who have safeguarded it with dedication. Through Kathak, we aim to inspire audiences to reflect on their connection to nature and the impact that they too, can make.”

With Guru Shama Bhate’s intricate choreography, Unnayan blends traditional Kathak storytelling with innovative production elements.  Shama Bhate and her team of talented dancers- Ameera Patankar, Avani Gadre, Shraddha Mukhade, Shreya Kulkarni, Esha Nanal, and others, bring to life the narrative of Thimmakka and other iconic women like Tulsi Gowda, Medha Patkar, and Dr. Vandana Shiva, who have each played pivotal roles in conserving India’s natural heritage.

‘Unnayan’ showcases Kathak’s expressive power in conveying complex narratives. The production’s musical score is composed by Vinay Ramdasan with mixing by Ishan Devasthali and TSM Studio. The stage will be set with captivating lighting design by Harshawardhan Pathak and Rutwij Keluskar, costumes by Sheetal Oak, and sound by Prashant Urunkar will surely draw the audiences into Thimmakka’s world.

Produced by ArtHub, a non-profit organization committed to preserving classical arts, Unnayan honors the dedication of women in conservation and inspires audiences to embrace environmental safeguarding. ArtHub’s support has enabled the production to blend classical music, poetic narration in Hindi, English, and Kannada, and imaginative staging.

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The event is split into two sessions with morning sessions from 10 am to 1 pm and evening sessions from 5 pm to 8 pm. Entry for the program is free for all on a first come first served basis. The event also marks the silver jubilee of the Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy (RSCA), founded by Rujuta Soman.

Speaking about the event, Rujuta Soman said, “I have spent my formative years with Guru Rohini Bhate and was immensely inspired and positively influenced by her exemplary way of approaching Kathak, experimenting with content, music, and choreographies, while honoring the traditional boundaries of Kathak. ‘Anvat’ is an effort to celebrate, demonstrate, and throw light on the paths less taken in different disciplines of art. It refers to innovative and experimental works that break away from traditional norms and leave their mark behind.”

The event is split into 2 parts. The first part is a symposium spread over 2 days with visionaries like Kathak Dancer Prajakta Raj, Film Educator Anupam Barve, Filmmaker Kranti Kanade, Artist/Curator Raju Sutar, Kathak Guru Shama Bhate, and Tabla Maestro Taalyogi Pt Suresh Talwalkar who will deliberate the creative journeys and the innovations that have transformed the art forms.

The second part comprises performances that illustrate innovative thoughts and compositions through Hindustani vocal, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam recitals that will bring out the great work done by Guru Rohini Bhate and her students. Rujuta Soman and her disciples will present a few of the exemplary compositions passed on to them by Guru Rohini Bhate.

The morning symposium on 5th October has been planned between 10 am and 1 pm with speakers like Prajakta Atre, Anupam Barve, and Guru Shama Bhate. The evening session from 5 pm to 9 pm will feature performances by the renowned vocalist from Bhendi Bazar Gharana Anuradha Kuber, a group performance by senior students of RSCA, a solo performance by Rujuta Soman, and an experimental presentation titled ‘Rujutap’.

The morning session on 6th October will also be held between 10 am to 1 pm showcasing “Venugaan” a dance theatre via Bharatanatyam by Vaibhav Aarekar and ‘Kavitali’, a presentation originally conceptualized and choreographed by Guru Rohini Bhate to be performed by Rujuta Soman and her students.

The Evening symposium program will be from 5 pm to 8 pm and will include curator Raju Sutar, filmmaker Kranti Kanade, and Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. All the events will be accompanied by Charudatta Phadke and Sameer Puntambekar on Tabla Yashwant Thitte on Harmonium, vocals by Arpita Vaishampayan, Jaydeep Vaidya, Mukta Joshi; Tushar Dixit on Keyboard and Anup Kulthe on Violin.

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‘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.

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