Saroha Festival: In memory of Guru Hare Krishna Behera - Taalam: column by Leela Venkataraman

In keeping with the quiet, non-controversial and modest character of late Odissi Guru Hare Krishna Behera the event was in memory of, was the modest but well-designed Saroha Festival held at the M.L. Bhartia auditorium of Alliance Francaise, New Delhi, on September 4, 2024. Having trained in Gotipua dance, and in Chanda and Champu of Odissi music, Hare Krishna Behera belonging to Balasore in Odisha, had his Odissi dance training under teachers like Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Mayadhar Raut, when he was in Kala Vikash Kendra of Cuttack - till he migrated to Delhi in 1964, where after a stint with the Natya Ballet Centre, he joined the Gandharva Vidyalaya as a teacher in 1971. He later ran his own teaching classes at his place in Asiad Village, till he passed away in 2012. Daughter/Odissi dancer Kavita Dwibedi holds the festival of Saroha every year in memory of her father/guru. 

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Profile - Shivani Jatar reimagines Kathak through a Contemporary lens - Kasmin Fernandes

This boundary-pushing Kathak dancer and choreographer blends tradition with contemporary themes, creating a feminist and cross-cultural reimagining of the classical art form.

From the rhythmic footwork of traditional Kathak to the experimental choreographies she now performs in Leeds, UK, Mumbai-born Shivani Jatar's journey is one of balancing tradition and innovation. Steeped in the age-old techniques of Kathak, yet pushing its boundaries, this young dancer offers a fresh perspective on the classical Indian dance form. Shivani's technical mastery of Kathak is evident in her attention to tatkar which serves as the foundation of her performances. Wearing ghungroos, she skilfully weaves intricate rhythmic patterns known as tihai into her movements, creating a dynamic interplay between sound and motion. 

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Anita says...October 2024

It occurs to me that courage comes from the same place as fear, and where there is fear, there is the possibility of courage.

- Pádraig Ó Tuama, Irish poet and theologian
In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World

Welcome to October - the changing season, the clocks turning back in North America and our grand silks and festive wear emerging from closets.

All around me in Chennai and elsewhere in India, the spirit of Navaratri has begun. Festivals in dance, music and theatre - starting at 5am with classical music, lighting of the lamps in the evening, display of Golu dolls in South India, the fantastic swirling energy of Garba in the north - everything feels so alive, electric and festive. I am sure the festival season has also begun with diaspora circles all over the world. It really is a delicious time of the year - perhaps my favourite season.

I begin in NYC... the BIG APPLE which has been the western world's most important center for dance for many decades. And for the past three weeks, all eyes were on Indian dance events that crowded the calendar.

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