The event ‘Kathak Sandhya’ was held at the Rai Umanath Bali auditorium on Wednesday, captivating the audience with graceful performances by young Kathak dancers. Organised jointly by Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan (BMKS) and the department of culture, the programme titled “Yugal Nrityanjali” featured duet dance presentations by emerging Kathak artistes from Lucknow. The evening highlighted the elegance of duet performances and celebrated the enduring legacy of the Lucknow gharana.
Opening Performance
The evening commenced with a devotional piece by Govind Chaudhary and Roshni Prasad, who presented “Namami Shamisham”, a tribute to Lord Shiva. They followed this with a rendition in Pancham Sawari taal and concluded with “Shri Radhe Rani”, which portrayed the playful bond between Radha and Krishna.
Appreciated Artistes
Young artistes Anjul Bajpai and Piyush Pandey earned appreciation for their performance of “Damru Harkar Baje” and a technically polished teen taal presentation. Their Kathak composition “Badal Garaj Navghor” received loud applause for its energetic rhythm and precise execution.
Finale by Sisters
The finale was presented by sisters Isha Ratan and Misha Ratan. They began with “Rudrashtakam” and concluded with “Badal Re Araj Garaj” in raag Megh, creating an emotional and immersive atmosphere in the auditorium. The audience was left spellbound by their expressive movements and rhythmic coordination.
Dignitaries Present
Chief guest Sanjay Singh, vice-chancellor of Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University, and BMKS chairperson Kumkum Dhar Chowdhury graced the occasion. Their presence underscored the importance of nurturing young talent in classical dance forms.
