Sunday, April 05, 2020

Just a Kalakaar then. A Kathakaar as well now - by Shri Abhirami

Shri Abhirami writes:
I was just a fan of Kathak who admired those surreal circles and beats. Until I stepped into Kalaa Kendra during my stay in AZ, I did not know I'd get a chance to learn this dance form. Kalaa Kendra has a straight-forward approach to dance-training. One step at a time, build on the basics and walk your way up the ladder to reach the stage as a wholesome performer and artist. As much as I enjoyed learning Kathak, I enjoyed how my Guru Radhika Kotwal always allowed room for exploration and creativity. 

Few years into the curriculum, I had to take a break from my Kathak training due to life changes. During this recess, I got an opportunity to a workshop conducted by the Kathak exponent - Pt. Birju Maharaj ji. Hailing from South India, I had not heard this name as much as the experts in Bharatanatyam or Kuchupudi, but for the amazing things I had heard from my Kathak Guru Radhika, in AZ. Right then, I grabbed the opportunity because I knew that this would be a lifetime opportunity and an extension of my regular classes that I missed so fondly. Little did I know that Maharaj’ jis workshop would pave the way back to my Kathak alma mater - Kalaa Kendra. What went on at the workshop?
It was a sunny morning at the Kalakshetra campus. About a 100 of us, with our ghungroos, presented ourselves as Saswati Didi initiated warmups. After every routine, the mic was turned off and Didi took specific instructions from Maharaj and then turned on the mic and taught us. This went on for few thodas and thukdas. It was any other routine Kathak class except that pep discussion that would happen between the Guru and Shishya until Day 3 opened us to surreal lessons - lessons to train your mind. On this last day, Maharaj  jicame to each of us personally corrected our postures, steps, and looks. Yes. The great Pandit Birju Maharaj! Right there in front of us was a lesson on dedication - doing your job to 100%, and humility - he didn't have to right?
At the final hour, Didi broke the suspense. I have seen several dancers prep for a workshop, announce the agenda and conduct it to completion. However, here we were witnessing a full impromptu workshop. When Didi told this, I was stunned! Such carefully detailed thodas and parans? Such captivating chakradars? Coming from the Kathak exponent of India – this is not a surprise. The real surprise was how he put his skills to work. For every piece, he gave us hints. Like one of it was - "Imagine you are the waves hitting the shore - now try again. How would you move this time?" And then the bol began - 100 elegant waves touched the feet of our common shore - The Maharaj. A lesson right there - imagine. Imagination is a constructive habit. Constructive imagination is a habit.



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Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Kalaa Kendra Kathak glimpses







It has been a while we blogged, just thought of posting some recent pics from our gallery.
Glimpses of our wonderful Kalaa Kendra family!!

Sunday, February 28, 2016

NAARI - Woman

Kalaa Kendra Presents NAARI - May 22nd, Scottsdale Center for the performing Arts, Arizona

Friday, March 01, 2013

DARBAAR 2013 - Sunday, April 21st




Thursday, November 15, 2012

Radhika conducting workshop in Austin

Austin, TX
Choreographed by Radhika Kotwal

Friday, March 16, 2012

Hopscotch: The Game of Life

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Nritya Darshan - Student Recital

Kalaa Kendra 5th year celebrations!