Golden talent contest to discover Kathak champs

KOLKATA: The little champs in the reality shows on TV channels claim the spotlight by copying a Lata Mangeshkar or Manna Dey. But years ago, when Ravi Kichlu Foundation had started its Golden Talent Contest, it had yielded such originals as Purbayan Chatterjee. "Why don't we try to spot originals and reward their talent?" asks Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj on the eve of the finals, which this year extends to the discipline of Kathak.
The event, being held in association with The Times of India, started with celebrated danseuse Saswati Sen approaching Veena Kichlu last year to bring dance within the fold of the award instituted in 1994 to honour the memory of her vocalist husband. "That led to the selection processes in Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow, Delhi and Kolkata," informs Saswati Sen.
Along with Maharajji and Banaras gharana vocalist Girija Devi, she "shortlisted 15 dancers from a total of about 150." However, the semi-finals held in Kolkata six weeks ago saw such "neck to neck competition" that a repeat had to be held yesterday. This time, with everybody dancing to live accompaniment, there was uniformity of performance and the result is for all to see: There are eight winners in two age groups seven to 15, and 15 to 25.
Ishwari Deshpande, an 11-year-old from Mumbai, emerges winner in the junior group. The second position is jointly held by Kolkata's Nilopa Maitra perhaps the youngest dancer at age 10 and Krutika from Nasik. Kolkatan Aheli is the other winner in this group.
In the senior group, two dancers have been ranked in the third position: Tanvi Palav from Mumbai and Bhakti Deshpande from Nasik. The top two positions will go to Amruta and Konkona from Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. However, "who's first and who's second will be decided in a public contest on Wednesday the birth anniversary of Pt Kichlu and awarded by Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi," informs Saswati Sen.
The renowned dancer, who has seen many of these contestants grow from strength to strength in workshops held by Maharajji "for aspirants from remote corners including from Arunachal," will herself perform Taan and Abhinaya pure and expressional dance at Birla Sabhagar. Birju Maharaj will bring the evening to its conclusion with Thumri and Bhav.
Pt Ravi Kichlu Foundation attempts to search and promote young talents in classical music and dance. It also extends monetary help to retired musicians in need of medical treatment, besides running a primary school for underprivileged children at Kolkata's Nichu Basti.