Prayagraj: “When history begins to speak to the beat of the anklets, and the soul of culture is reflected in the emotions, only then does Kathak appear in its true form.” Giving words to this vibrant tradition of Indian classical dance, senior Kathak dancer Vidushi Urmila Sharma said, “Kathak is not just a dance; it is the living story of our culture, a wonderful confluence of story, emotion, rhythm, and beat.” The “Vimarsh” program, organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Center, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, featured an emotional and insightful discussion on the past, present, and future of Kathak on Saturday. Sharing her experiences, Urmila Sharma engaged the audience in a detailed conversation about the tradition, evolution, current form, and future prospects of Kathak dance. The program was inaugurated by the keynote speaker, along with Center Director Sudesh Sharma and senior artist Bina Singh, by lighting a lamp. The Center Director honored her with a plant.
She explained that Kathak is believed to have originated in Kichkila village in Prayagraj’s Handia tehsil, and this is a matter of pride for Prayagraj. In order to preserve the Kathak tradition, in 1993, he commissioned the construction of a Sati Chaura and a stone inscription in memory of Pt. Ishwari Prasad, an early Kathak teacher, and his wife.
During her speech, she outlined the journey of Kathak, saying that over time, Kathak has taken on many dimensions. The Banaras, Lucknow, and Jaipur gharanas gave it a classical form, while great gurus like Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj brought it recognition on the world stage. She said that today Kathak is not limited to traditional themes, but presentations are also being given on topics such as women’s empowerment, the environment, Ganga descent, and social concerns. She also answered questions from the audience.
Smiling, she recounted her achievements, including receiving the “Top Grade Artist” honor from Prasar Bharati, the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy’s Academy Award, and the “Singarmani” title from the Sur-Singar Academy. She has performed Kathak in several countries, including Suriname, Trinidad, Fiji, Holland, and Guyana.
She also mentioned innovative experiments like T20 cricket in the Kathak style. He presented popular dance-dramas like “Ganga Avtaar,” “Samudra Manthan,” “Daksha Yagna,” “Women’s Empowerment,” and “Hori-Dhoom Machori.” Himani Rawat was the host of the program.
