Unique workshop by Kathak exponent

Madhapur: Shilparamam Arts, Crafts & Cultural Society and Nritya Kunj Academy of Kathak Dance headed by Aarthi Shanker are organising a three-day (25th–27th January ) Kathak dance workshop under the guidance of Sangeeth Nataka Academy Puraskar Guru, Sri Ranjendra Ganganiji. Many of the artistes from the twin cities are participating in this workshop and learning new techniques of the Taal, Bhava, tumiri, Chakkar – both in theory and practice.

Ranjendra Ganganiji explained in a simple and friendly manner and practised the bits of the Kathak dance with students. Students cleared their doubts while performing on the stage and also the theory syllabus for which they are going to appear in kathak dance. Arthi Shanker encouraged them to ask the questions and get their doubts clarified. Pandit Rajendra Gangani is a disciple of Pt Kundanlal Gangani. He started his training in Kathak from the early age of four.

The renowned Jaipur Gharana saw the emergence of an outstanding performance and crusader of the art in the talent scion of a family of hereditary dancers serving the art of Kathak from centuries together. Pt. Rajendra graduated from Kathak Kendra, Delhi in the year 1983-84 and ever since have made significant contribution in this field. Although he sticks to the tradition form of hid gharana, he is an indefatigable experimenter, having choreographed various group compositions and dance dramas to standing ovations and rave reviews.

An accomplished musician, composer of tunes, he also has a rare mastery over the tabla, harmonium, pakhawaj etc. With a confident grasp on the kinetics and aesthetics of dance, and his ability to select apt songs, his choreographic creations always bring an air of refreshing novelty. Among the numerous awards and accolades, he has won, are the 'Sangeet Raj', 'Shastriya Natya Shiromani', and the prestigious 'Sangeet Natya Academy Award' which was bestowed upon him in 2003 by the then President of India, Doctor A P J Abdul Kalam.