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 2nd edition of Nritya Samrat Birju Maharaj Awards 2023 in Pune - Kiran Java email: kiran@kiranjava.com Photos courtesy: Nandkishore Cultural Society July 14, 2023 Kathak exponents Dr. Padma Sharma of Mumbai-Lucknow and Pt. Bipul Das of Assam were felicitated with the 2nd edition of the Nritya Samrat Birju Maharaj Awards 2023 organized by Nandkishore Cultural Society. Yuva Puraskar edition of Nritya Samrat Birju Maharaj Awards 2023 was bestowed upon the duo Saurav-Gaurav Mishra of Banaras.  From L to R: Dr. Padma Sharma, Pt. Bipul Das and duo Saurav-Gaurav Mishra Dr. Nandkishore Kapote opened the program with a performance on the composition 'Ek anek roop mein dekhon' written, composed, and sung by Pt. Birju Maharaj. Next was an impromptu performance by Dr. Padma Sharma who performed a beautiful 'bhav batana', a description of layered meanings through gestures on the poetry of the famous Ras Khan, a poet of the medieval period. She followed it up with a soulful performance on a Thumri of Bindadin Maharaj (1830 - 1918), best known perhaps as the originator of the Lucknow style of Kathak dance. Dr. Padma Sharma learned this composition from both Pt. Mohan Rao Kalliyanpurkar as well as Pt. Lachhu Maharaj. She mentioned how each one interpreted the line 'she fills water' differently. For example, one portrayed it as filling a pot with water from the river versus the other showed the drawing of water from a well and how the gestures of the hand, arm, and body are portrayed differently in both scenarios. The audience was also treated to Dr. Padma Sharma performing an abhinaya or descriptive piece on 'Baaji' that she had learned from the great Kathak exponent Pt. Lachhu Maharaj (1901-1978). Bipul Das from Assam had also learned special dance choreographies from Birju Maharaj. He was proud to perform a choreography on the famous 'Dha Taka Thunga' composition with great élan. He did a delightful performance on two Parmelu ka tukra, a rhythmic composition based on an assortment of syllables, some drawn from nature sounds. He closed with a charming Dadra Chhand footwork composition ending in a tihai, a piece repeated three times.  Duet performed by Dr. Nandkishore Kapote, Pune, and Pt. Bipul Das, Assam Bipul Das and Dr. Nandkishore Kapote together artistically rendered a variety of compositions marked by crisp footwork, clean gait, and the signature graceful Lucknow hastaks or hand gestures. They learned these compositions from Pt. Birju Maharaj in the online classes in the last two years that were specially arranged for them by Maharaj. They recited the Padhant, a recitation of the rhythmic syllables of dance, in alternating segments making it attractive for the audience to hear. Their use of the aesthetically pleasing 'gardan ka dora' or 'sundari greeva' in one segment enthralled the audience. Later in the program, Dr. Kapote performed various intraforms of Kathak with considerable virtuosity. These had been specially choreographed for him by Pt. Birju Maharaj during the lockdown years. The audience had the opportunity to see parans i.e. rhythmic compositions with an emphasis on forceful mnemonics and tukras i.e. rhythmic patterns based on the tabla and dance mnemonics. Dr. Kapote also performed an exquisite 'Lamchhad' tihai of three syllables repeated three times in a single line and in which three different types of footwork showcased the 'tigda dig dig' dance syllables or bols. Saurvav and Gaurav Mishra brought the flavour of the Banaras style of Kathak on stage in Pune. They performed an Anand Tandav on the composition of Shiva titled 'Damru Pani, Shool Pani, Hey Natarajan Namo Namaha'; this was one of the three 'Tandavas' of the Banaras gharana that they regularly perform. The audience was also thrilled to witness their splendid performance on 'Monsoon Rains'. They used footwork patterns in such a manner that the bells on their feet and rhythmic tapping of their feet evoked sounds of drizzle, lashing of rain, gentle wind, thunderstorm etc. It was truly an immersive experience. Additionally, during the performance, they engaged the audience in an interactive session prompting the audience to synchronize their hand claps with various rhythmic patterns of footwork performed by them.  From L to R: Saurav Mishra, Dr. Padma Sharma, Krishna Kumar Goyal, Pt. Bipul Das, Gaurav Mishra, and Dr. Nandkishore Kapote The Awards were held at Jawaharlal Auditorium, Pune on 21st June 2023. The event was inaugurated by Krishnakumar Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director of Kohinoor Group, Uma Khapre MLC, and Sulbha Ubale, ex-Corporator. Dr. Nandkishore Kapote is the senior disciple of the late Pt. Birju Maharaj, and has organized these awards in honor of his Guru for the second year in a row.  Kiran Java is a writer and author of 'My First Book of Kathak Dance' and 'Meeting the Kathak Rishi'. She holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Communication and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Eastern Connecticut State University, USA. She holds a Diploma in Natyashastra with Kathak relevancy and certification in Vallabh Vedanta from Mumbai University. For more information visitkiranjava.com |
