An internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, and scholar whose life and work bridge Europe and India through classical dance is Ileana Citaristi. Trained in Odissi under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and deeply influenced by Kathakali, she is one of the foremost non-Indian exponents of Indian classical dance. Based in Odisha for decades, she has played […]Read More
India’s hosting of the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage marked a defining moment in the country’s cultural diplomacy. Held at the historic Red Fort under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the session highlighted India’s deep civilisational commitment to living traditions. As the nodal agency, […]Read More
Dance has always been a discipline before it became entertainment, rooted in patience, repetition, discomfort, humility, and time, long before reels, likes, and follower counts became currencies of worth; yet today, much of the dance education ecosystem is quietly drifting away from that truth, reshaped by social media culture and validation-seeking behavior because they are […]Read More
From the verandas of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to international Odissi stages, Carlito Catalano’s journey is one of devotion, resilience, and cultural bridge-building. A short chat with artist: Tell us about your dancing journey, your teachers and training. My first encounter with Indian classical dance happened by chance. As a shy, introverted, […]Read More
Legendary performer, guru, and cultural icon, Jayantimala Mishra, fondly known as Urvashi, is one of the most celebrated exponents of Kathak and a torchbearer of the Banaras Gharana. Born into the illustrious family of Acharya Pandit Sukhdev Maharaj, she represents the tenth generation of this legendary lineage. Trained under stalwarts such as Sitara Devi Ji, […]Read More
The year just began – not the common Gregorian calendar one demarcating January first but Sankranti – when the sun moves up to the northern hemisphere. Days get longer, winter starts fading and by Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja, also known as Basant Panchami, is traditionally celebrated on the fifth day Panchami Tithi) of the Hindu […]Read More
On person whose work stands as a quiet yet powerful commitment to preserving and revitalising India’s artistic heritage is Anurag Chauhan. Through Breathing Arts, he has created meaningful spaces where classical and folk traditions meet young minds with freshness and relevance. His approach goes beyond performance, fostering deep cultural engagement rooted in experience and authenticity. […]Read More
One artist whose journey as a Kathak artist is marked by discipline, excellence, and early recognition of her talent is Alakhnanda. She received a prestigious scholarship from Kathak Kendra at the age of ten and was awarded the same again at eighteen, reflecting sustained artistic brilliance. At eighteen, she was also honoured with the National […]Read More
One of the young and dynamic breed of dancers who is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and guru with over three decades of dedication to the classical arts is Pavitra Bhat. Trained from a young age, he has performed extensively and is known for his deep storytelling, strong abhinaya, and thoughtful thematic productions. As the […]Read More
We saw Aamir Khan do the Tap dance in the film Dhoom, but do we know from where the craze of Tap dance began. Today, let me take you into the life of Berry Brothers who made Tap a craze way back in 1920’s The Berry Brothers — Ananias Berry and James “Jimmy” Berry — […]Read More