Jaipur . A three-day cultural festival to commemorate the birth centenary of the great master of Kathak Guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani began in Jaipur on the occasion of Guru Purnima. The function was organized under the joint aegis of Guru Kundanlal Gangani Foundation and Jawahar Kala Kendra. Kathak artists, disciples and art lovers from different parts of the country participated in the program and expressed their respect for the Guru-Shishya tradition.
Started with lamp lighting and Guru Vandana
The ceremony started with traditional lamp lighting and Guru Vandana. After this, a series of various Kathak presentations started on the stage. On the first day of the event, a confluence of Kathak traditions of Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas was seen. The program started with Guru Smaran of Pandit Rajendra Gangani. He presented the traditional laykari of Jaipur gharana, powerful tatkar and chakkar. After Gangani’s presentation, Pandit Rammohan Maharaj, senior Kathak dancer of Lucknow Gharana, displayed great grace, pause and emotion in his dance. Dancer Manisha Gulyani impressed the audience with her technical sophistication and rhythmic clarity in her dance performance. On the first day of the event, students of Guru Kundan Lal Gangani Foundation and Sadhna Swarang Group of Kolkata also gave their Kathak performances.
Young and senior artists gave captivating presentations
On the first day of the festival, many young and senior Kathak artistes drenched the atmosphere with art with their performances. The artists introduced the rich tradition of Kathak through traditional bands, rhythm structures, Gaat, Tatkar and expression oriented performances. The audience enthusiastically welcomed each performance and greeted the artists with prolonged applause.
Remembered the contribution of Guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani
Speakers in the program mentioned the incomparable contribution of Guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani in the field of Indian classical dance. He told that Guru Gangani took the tradition of Jaipur Gharana to new heights and by preparing many disciples, he brought prestige to the rich heritage of Kathak in the country and abroad. The teaching tradition established by him is still moving forward through many artists.
Opportunity created for respect and cultural dialogue
Many senior personalities associated with the art world were present during the ceremony. Through dialogue between artistes and disciples, views were also shared on the tradition of Kathak, its preservation and its effective dissemination to the new generation. The program gave the message of preservation of cultural values while re-underlining the dignity of guru-disciple relationship.
Excitement about upcoming presentations
In the next phases of the birth centenary celebrations, performances by eminent Kathak artistes of the country will be organised. According to the organizers, the art practice and legacy of Guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani will be widely remembered through various dance performances, dialogue sessions and cultural events in the coming days. This three-day event remains a center of special attraction for Kathak lovers on the occasion of Guru Purnima.
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