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Dancing through life
Kathak dancer, economist, radio jockey, television artist, actor, singer and much more? Dr Kum Kum Dhar is a multi-dimensional person. But above all, she remains one of the most well-known exponents of kathak showcasing Lucknow around the world. She?s also dean, Faculty of Dance, Bhatkhande Institute of Music.
Kathak dancer, economist, radio jockey, television artist, actor, singer and much more… Dr Kum Kum Dhar is a multi-dimensional person. But above all, she remains one of the most well-known exponents of kathak showcasing Lucknow around the world. She’s also dean, Faculty of Dance, Bhatkhande Institute of Music.
Dhar has been associated with kathak for the last 30 years now. She says, “I have worked for 25 years as an economist with a consultancy firm. And along side I continued with my dance.”
However, these were not the only two things she had been trying her hand at. She also conducted programmes for Doordarshan, was a radio jockeying and deeply involved in theatre as well.
She says, “When I was young, my parents made sure that I study as well as follow my passion. I was completing my education as well as learning kathak.
After I completed my Masters, I joined a consultancy that took me to rural areas for research. A number of years later, I realised that I should do a PhD. And I took the leap.”
Kum Kum has performed all over the country. There are hardly any important places in India where she hasn’t performed. Apart from this, she has performed in at least 15 countries.
Kum Kum has been married for 23 years now. Talking about her marriage she says, “My marriage has been very satisfying. I have been at the peak of my career in these years. But I have had to struggle a lot to manage everything.”
She adds, “My husband has been very supportive. He never stopped me from doing anything in life. Before we got married we knew each other so maybe, that helped a lot.”
Talking about her performances she says, “For me all my performances have been special. Some of them are very satisfying and in some I feel I could have done better. One thing that I want to say about the performing arts is that no matter how much you practice, what matters is what you’ve done on stage. You might be very good at a particular thing but when you are on stage you go wrong with it. And then you can’t alter that. What’s done is done.”
Kum Kum says her current state of mind is very peaceful and serene. “At this point of my life I am happy and full of gratitude to God. I’ve got everything in life—love, care and concern. However, I feel that in all these I could have done a better job as far as kathak is concerned.”
Due to her busy schedule, Kum Kum is unable to steal too many vacations but whenever she can, she loves going to Kashmir or Goa. “For my last vacation, I went to Goa and that was a whole lot of fun. And for Kashmir, I love it because it was the place I was born in.” All in all Kum Kum Dhar is one woman of substance.
