Kathak moves to beats of modern French rock

AHMEDABAD: 'Gir Gir Aayi Badariya,' a classical tune infused with a fast beat of rock music played on guitar, and 'Dhak Dha Trik Dhak Dha' - drum and taal played on tabla. Fusion music set the stage for 'Rock Kathak,' paving the way for swift entry of Kathak dancer Sanjukta Sinha, dressed up in golden-bordered pink Anarkali costume, in swirling motion.Classy beginning marked the start of the world premiere of 'Kwak meets Kadamb - Rock Kathak' an Indo-French artistic creation which was welcomed with roaring applauses.
The Rock Kathak composition is produced by the school of kathak founded by renowned dancer Kumudini Lakhia in association with Allaince Francaise d' Ahmedabad. The first show took place on Saturday evening at Shreyas Foundation, and the performance is to be repeated in Vadoadara on Sunday.
Rupali Takkan and Bhakti Dani - kathak dancers decked up in indigo, peacock blue and olive green Anarkali costumes - also performed at the event dancing on a fusion composition played on sarangi, sitar, tabla, guitar and drum. The novel performance expanded and recreated the idiom of classical dance form language by incorporating into it fresh westernized rhythm, rock beats and French lyrics.
Fresh twists and turns of Kathak dance movements synchronized in a perfect harmony with western and Indian classical instrumental music. The performance indeed marked the beginning of a new genre of dance and music - Rock Kathak. The amalgamation that recreated repertoire of both Indian and western art forms fused a new life into the classical dance form.
"This is an experimental innovation to expand the genre of both modern rock music and classical dance form," Lakhia said. With four musicians playing guitar and drum, artists played various classical music instruments including sarangi, sitar, pakhwaj and tabla. Rock vocalist accompanied vocal music artists rendering pure classical vocal. Pavan Bakeri and Abhay Mangaldas and other dignitaries were present at the event.