Kathak: A unique melodious tale of the body and its tunes
Kathak would have always meant only a dance form to us until our conversation with Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh, whose not just a dance artist but also a guru to this art. Pallavi has dedicated her lifetime to this passion and with hard work and creativity, she has been professionally practicing Kathak for more than twenty five years now. Speaking to Pallavi about her experience in the field was quiet an exploration about the entire history that is associated with this form of dance.
Pallavi’s story truly makes us believe that its art that chooses us to make us an artist and not otherwise. Back then, the 10 year old, started her dance journey when her Guru Smt. Asha Tai Joglekar, accepted her as a student of Kathak. She tells us how seeing dance and music throughout her growing up days, made her accept the artist in her very naturally. She only treated her dance class like any other school subject and never really gave it enough importance as a child. With time, Pallavi started to look into more in dance than just kathak, she laughs and recalls her stint in Bollywood dance, western dance and all that jazz that would excite any young girl to make it all interesting. But who was ever saved from the call of nature, soon Pallavi could feel her heart and her calling towards kathak and she still jitters remembering how going back to her guru to start training again was nothing less than an adrenaline rush. This was a turning point for Pallavi and her career as various trials and errors had finally got her to do what she really was made for. Watch her chat with us live on the link below.
Today Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh is a prominent name in the world of dance not only in India but also internationally. Apart from performing she has also found her love in teaching all her rich learnings to dance enthusiasts of all age. In her later years, Pallavi also trained under the maestro, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and received coaching in rhythm and rhythmic cycles from the tabla maestro Taal Yogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. Thus, its not just dance but Pallavi is a combination of everything under the title of art.
A quick glance at Pallavi’s learnings and dance academics:
- In 2003, she earned Alankar (Master’s) under Guru Asha Tai. In this, she performed Taal Teen taal — a rhythmic cycle of 16 beats. Pallavi’s expertise is in Tatkaar, in which she performed Ladi (an interwoven intricate footwork) to conclude her technique presentation. Lastly she presented Thumri depicting two characters of women — one who loves rain and dances happily while other is pining for her love, as the finale. It portrayed intense emotions of two women in love, with contrasting feelings.
- In 2000, she earned Visharad Purna (Bachelor’s) under Guru Asha Tai. Performed Taal Dhamaar — Rhythmic cycle of 14 beats. Tatkaar being her forte, performed Dhamaar tatkaar, while concluding her technique presentation. Presented Thumri taught by Pt. Birju Maharaj ji as the finale. It had subtle nuances, style and expressions of Radha for Krishna’s pranks.
- To complement the dance education, earned Bachelors in Indian Philosophy from Mumbai University.
Learn more about her from the link to her website given below.
During the entire Covid phase, Pallavi really got engrossed into online performances and more of teaching thus currently she is enjoying giving all her time to social media performances and teaching for group/private and in-person/online classes. On asking about what is her method of teaching, Pallavi says, as a guru, she structures the course curriculum, teach classes, design costumes, and direct choreography, for exams and stage performances. She follows a structured curriculum for students of all ages from beginner to advanced level. Students can earn Diploma (Visharad Purna) and Advance Diploma (Alankar) in Kathak from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University School of Performing Arts (BVDUSPA). Pallavi is a certified New Jersey center in charge and examiner of BVDUSPA since 2015.
Pallavi adds how working as a Director at Nrityanjali Arts, premiere Kathak dance school in NJ and becoming a certified New Jersey center in charge and examiner of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University School of Performing Arts was a big achievement. Prior to Nrityanjali Arts, Pallavi also worked as a Vice Principal at Archana Arts, USA for about 5 years.
Pallavi has till date enjoyed each of her day with dance and everything around dance. She has been grateful for being fortunate to have performed at: the prestigious Carnegie Hall, NYC; Lincoln Center, NYC; New York Kathak Festival, NYC; Navatman, NYC; Sadhana festival organized by Pt. Birju Maharaj ji at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi; Raindrop festival by Guru Smt. Uma Dogra at NCPA theater, Mumbai; Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi; Natya Festival, NC; MET museum, NYC; Independence Day parade, NYC and March of Dimes, NJ.
We at Katapult Networks, feel proud to have met Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh, and known her motivational side of being an enterprising women. She truly made us feel awestruck with each of her quick short performances throughout the session and we were only kept longing for more. Check her profile and we are sure to get you addicted to all her dance sessions.
It’s a matter of pride and privilege for Katapult Networks to connect with talented artists that are determined to transform the face of art, and thus the society, one masterpiece at a time. Stay connected with art and artists by listening to their inspiring stories on Up, Close & Personal!
