TWIN SOULS ONE RHYTHM

Born in the sacred city of Kashi, the duo has artistry rooted in a rich lineage of classical music and dance, twin torchbearers of the Banaras Gharana of Kathak are duo Saurav and Gaurav Mishra. Trained under their uncle and Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar Mishra, they embody both devotion and discipline. Their performances blend rhythmic brilliance with emotive storytelling, shaped by generations of tradition. Through their institute, Kashi Kala Mandir, they are nurturing a new wave of seekers in the classical arts. Their twin synergy creates a seamless harmony on stage, a dialogue of movement, emotion, and soul. With every step, they honor their ancestors, their Gurus, and the timeless spirit of Kathak itself. Excerpts from the interview:

Dancing roots

We were born in the heart of Kashi, the eternal city of Banaras, in Kabir Chaura, a neighborhood where devotion and the arts are woven into daily life. Our home wasn’t just filled with music; it was music. Our grandfather, Pandit Bhawani Prasad Mishra, was a master of the sarangi, and his father, Pandit Munshi Ram Mishra, was a revered scholar and connoisseur of Indian classical music.

Our father, Pandit Amarnath Mishra, was a respected sitarist, and our maternal grandfather a classical vocalist connected to none other than Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi. Through this musical confluence, our maternal aunt was married into the lineage of Pandit Birju Maharaj. So from both maternal and paternal lines, music was our atmosphere, our inheritance, our dharma.

The beginning of Kathak journey 

We were drawn to dance from a very young age. It wasn’t a formal decision; it was as natural as breathing. Our uncle and Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar Mishra, a senior exponent of the Banaras Gharana, initiated us into Kathak. Under his gentle but disciplined guidance, our feet found rhythm, our bodies learned to express, and our hearts began to understand storytelling through dance.

Another guiding light was our revered Pandit Mata Prasad Mishra, affectionately called Bandhu Priya Bandhu, a senior Kathak artist whose life was a living prayer of the Banaras Gharana. The grace of Pandit Alaknanda Devi and the fiery inspiration of Sitara Devi also echo through our lineage.

How being twins influenced their journey

Absolutely. Since childhood, we have grown, played, and practiced side by side. Being twins has been our greatest strength. Even when our individual moods or creative directions diverge, we find balance in silence, a kind of intuitive harmony. This shared rhythm is not just physical, it is spiritual and emotional too. In our rehearsals, even dissonance becomes a source of discovery. When we disagree, we sit together, reflect calmly, and always choose dialogue over conflict. That unity forms the core of our creative collaboration.

The impact of reality show 

Those platforms gave our Kathak visibility and brought it into homes that may not otherwise encounter classical dance. It was not just about competition, but connection, with the audience, the judges, and even ourselves. The rigorous preparation, the spotlight, the responses, they made us sharper, more grounded. Even today, those memories remind us of our deeper purpose and fuel our passion.

Kathak as sadhana

To us, Kathak is more than an art form, it is a prarthana (a sacred offering). It embodies bhakti, rasa, rhythm, and narrative. It is the dance of Lord Shiva’s Tandava and the leela of Krishna. We are especially drawn to the masculine energy of Tandava, its strength, stillness, and spiritual fire. We believe that Kathak transcends gender. Historically, many great male artists shaped its foundation. Today, while the field may appear female-dominated, we urge young men not to hesitate. Kathak is for every seeker who approaches it with love and sincerity.

Challenges in presenting masculine energy in Kathak

Sometimes people think classical dance, especially expressions of shringara rasa, are only suited to the feminine form. But in our art, we don’t mimic femininity, we embody bhava through our sadhana. Every gesture comes from study, faith, and emotional honesty. Art does not discriminate. It embraces all who surrender to its rhythm.

The biggest achievement of all

We have been fortunate to receive honors like the Brahma Kumari Award, the JNU Award, and the blessing of being recognized by Pandit Birju Maharaj himself. But the highest honor is simply being born in Banaras. The very air here sings of tradition. And that’s what we carry wherever we go — whether in Delhi under the guidance of Maharaj ji, or in performances across India. Recently, Mumbai has opened new artistic doors for us, but Banaras will always be our anchor.

The artistic sanctuary, Kashi Kala Mandir

Kashi Kala Mandir is our humble offering to the future. It is not just an institution; it is a sacred space where the next generation can immerse themselves in the performing arts. We wish to ignite in them the love we inherited, to show them that Kathak is not merely movement but meditation, discipline, and divine language. Through this space, we aim to nurture not just dancers, but seekers.

Message for aspiring artists

Hold your heritage close, not as a burden, but as a blessing. Let it guide you, but also let your own voice evolve within it. Tradition is not static; it is a river. To those from non-traditional backgrounds, we say: do not fear the depth. If you enter this ocean with honesty and surrender, it will embrace you. Kathak has given us purpose, discipline, and joy. It has connected us to our ancestors, our Gurus, and to each other. And through every performance, every practice, every prayer, we hope to honor this sacred art with the devotion it deserves.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and Dada Saheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted on sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com