Classical dances are an integral part of Meghdutam Rangmanch’s vision to encourage local talent, and also present performances by senior and seasoned artistes so as to enhance the appreciation of our traditional dance heritage in our community.
Four dance gurus, two in kathak, and one each in Bharatnatyam and Odissi, presented several dances performed by their disciples in Meghdutam Fest 2024.
Eshani Agarwal, kathak exponent from the Lucknow Kathak gharana and founder of a dance academy, has performed and travelled widely. She curated the entire classical dance concert. Her disciples presented two dances choreographed by her — Shiva Vandana and a Tarana.
Pooja Tripathi is a promising kathak dancer and poet, and founder of a dance school. Her students presented a kathak duet and a group kathak fusion performance by eight dancers on a popular Bollywood song ’Mere dholna’.
Shalakha Rai teaches Odissi at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi, and is an empanelled artiste at the ICCR and Doordarshan. Her troupe presented two dances, Mangalacharan and Pallavi. Both dances were originally choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, with music by Pandit Bhubaneshwar Mishra.
Radhika Kathal, Bharatnatyan dancer and founder of an academy, is a multifaceted artist and educator, leaving her mark not only in the world of classical arts but also in arts education. Two senior students of her academy presented Murlidhar Kautukam, a dance in praise of Lord Krishna, set in Raag Arabhi and Adi Taal, and composed by Madurai R Muralidharan.
