Fire at Kathak maestro’s Khar school, shed gutted

MUMBAI: A fire broke out at Khar Danda’s iconic bungalow Nateshwar Bhavan, the home and school of Kathak maestro Gopi Krishna, on Friday. The three-storey structure was not damaged but the monsoon shed in the backyard was destroyed.
Nateshwar Bhavan was the mecca of Kathak dancers in the 1970s-80s. After Gopi Krishna passed away in 1994, portions of it were leased to the Terence Lewis Dance Academy and individual tenants.
His cousin, dancer Sitara Devi’s daughter, Jayantimala said, “I have inquired with the tenants who say that the makeshift shed was burnt. The remainder was demolished by civic officials after the blaze.”
“Prima facie it appears the fire was caused due to a short circuit from an adjacent structure,” said S K Bandgar, assistant divisional fire officer. It was learned that water splashed from the building might have triggered the short circuit. A watchman said the fire was spotted by a student on the ground floor. “The tarpaulin shed on the terrace caught fire and was spreading rapidly. The fire brigade arrived at the site after an hour,” he claimed. Terence Lewis later arrived and inspected the damage.
Noted Kathak dancers Shovana Narayan, Uma Dogra, Saswati Sen and Malabika Mitra recalled the iconic status that Nateshwar Bhavan holds on the country’s culturescape. “This was the epicentre for all new and established dancers to congregate during Gopiji’s lifetime. It was here that I arrived to secure my footing 33 years ago when I came to Mumbai,” Dogra said.
Anandini Thakoor, managing trustee of the Khar Residents Association, said, “During the monsoon, short circuit is a big hazard. It should be made mandatory for buildings to undergo checks and inspections. Tarpaulin catches fire rapidly and its use must be reduced.”
(Anushka Dias)