E-Paper
Kathak dancers? confluence planned
A CONFLUENCE of kathak dancers, hailing from various gharanas, will soon be witnessed at Kichkila village in Handia area. Known to be the source of kathak, the village is being developed for holding international level concerts, particularly the 'Kathak Mahotsav'.
A CONFLUENCE of kathak dancers, hailing from various gharanas, will soon be witnessed at Kichkila village in Handia area.
Known to be the source of kathak, the village is being developed for holding international level concerts, particularly the 'Kathak Mahotsav'.
This innovative step is being undertaken by eminent dancer Urmila Sharma, who has recently been appointed as the member of Indian Council for Cultural Relations Advisory Committee.
"Handia is the origin of Kathak and being a kathak dancer myself, it will be an honour for me to develop it and revive its glorious past," she said.
Sharma has already renovated Satti Chaura in Handia.
"It symbolises the spot where the wife of eminent artiste Ishwari Prasad performed 'sati' after the death of her husband due to snake bite.
It is said that the artistes belonging to the third generation finally settled in various places of north India. Bindadeen Maharaj, Thakur Prasad and currently Birju Maharaj took this art to its acme," said Sharma.
Thakur Talab in the village will be developed and it is her plan to shape it like Sitamadhi, which is a popular tourist spot. Vansh vriksha will be planted to remind the contributions of the artistes.
"We have already contacted the district magistrate, who has given his nod and village panchayat is ready to extend a helping hand," she said.
"The entire north India is famous for kathak gharanas and it will be our attempt to invite the associated artistes every year to perform at the venue. In another way, we are planning to hold 'Kathak Mahotsav' in the village to link the artistes to this heritage.
All of them will be welcomed irrespective of their belongingness to any particular gharana," said Sharma.
However, Sharma admitted that still a large amount was needed for the project and the process of fund collection was going on.
"It will be our effort to complete the entire project within five years' period during which overall development of Kichkila has been planned," she added.
