08/05/2026
TAAL ACADEMY: GURU PURNIMA 2026
Alarmel Valli, a renowned Bhartnatyam dancer once said; “Great poetry and great music do not make great dance. Dance is the ability to make music visual."
On August 1, in an intimate gathering of friends and family, the students of Taal Academy did exactly that. Through a thoughtful, disciplined, and rhythmically compelling Kathak recital, they transformed great music into a vivid visual experience.
Kathak is more than a dance performance—it is a journey through rhythm, storytelling, and expression. The students of Taal Academy, ranging in age from six to fifty, led the audience on this journey with confidence and grace, accompanied by mesmerizing live music. Trained under the guidance of the late Guru Manisha Dongre, Vaidehi Dongre Pandya, Kavita Rausaria, Parasar Athmakuri, and the torchbearing teachers of Taal - Ulka Bhide, Gauri Alate, Gauri Ajri and Medha Sharma, and their students displayed both technical ability and artistic maturity.
The program began with the puja of Nataraj, Ganesh and Krishna followed by Guru pujan with students of Taal Academy seeking blessings of their param gurus Pt. Gopikrushna, and Dr. Smt. Manjiri Deo, and gurus Manisha Tai, Amruta Paranjape Tai and Jayashree Tai.
Vaidehi started the performances with a ‘Ganesh Vandana’ a graceful solo, sung beautifully by Smt. Shuchita Dongre Athalekar, a distinguished classical vocalist from India.
In an era where hastily conceived fusion often dominates the richness of classical traditions, it was a joy to witness a performance firmly rooted in Kathak's authentic repertoire. Each subsequent presentation reaffirmed the Academy's dedication to preserving the purity of the tradition. The pieces were performed with conviction, elegance, and a deep understanding of the form.
Hastamudra — a technical demonstration of hastaks and todas.
A Jhaptaal presentation showcasing the rhythmic intricacies of the taal.
Mere To Giridhar Gopal, a devotional bhajan expressing unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna.
Barse Badariya, evoking the beauty and romance of the monsoon.
Hori Khelat... (Teen Taal), a spirited solo by Kavita Rausaria, a senior student of Taal Academy.
A Hori Thumri in Ek Taal, performed by Parasar, another accomplished senior student.
A vibrant Tarana in Raag Nat Bhairav set to Ek Taal.
A joyous finale featuring all the students and teachers, bringing the recital to a fitting and celebratory close.
For many in the audience, it was especially gratifying to witness the artistic growth of students they had seen over the years. Their confidence, poise, and finesse stood as a testament to the Academy's dedication and to the enduring legacy of Kathak, ensuring that this classical tradition continues to be passed from one generation to the next.
This sentiment was reiterated in heartfelt and emotional speeches by two students; Sahaana Ganapathy, a young exponent, spoke about her journey in Kathak, and Amruta Mahajan, an evolving dancer, reflected on the joy of returning to Kathak after a gap. Their words highlighted the profound personal and artistic impact that Kathak has had on their lives.
Classical Indian dance is characterized by melody and improvisation. Both, along with its rich oral tradition were visible in yesterday’s performance. Satish Dongre on Tabla and Aniruddha Phatak on the harmonium and the kathak padhant by Taal teachers were in vibrant synergy with Shuchita’s vocals and the dancers’ movements. In Kathak, Tabla does not just accompany the dance; it elevates it, turning every step, spin, and gesture into a conversation with sound.
Detroit-based, a renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam Guru Smt. Sandhya Athmakuri was the guest of honor. In her concluding remarks, she commended the students for their sincerity, discipline, and hard work. Her inspiring words served as an apt conclusion to an evening that celebrated not only technical excellence but also the enduring beauty of one of India's most treasured classical dance traditions.
~ Graciously penned by Jyotsna Diwadkar
