I could fill countless books with the wisdom and knowledge I have received from those I have been fortunate to be surrounded by from my birth family and dance family to friends, colleagues and perfect strangers who will never know the ways they have impacted my life and views. At this stage I carry with me a great sense of pride and humility for all I have learned and I eagerly anticipate all that is to come. But always remembering to cherish and avail of the gift that is the present…
Pandit Chitresh Das
"Practice, practice, practice"
was the only mantra in my training under my Guruji, Pandit Chitresh Das. Not only on the dance floor but in everything we do. Life is full of the unexpected so you have to be ready for anything, on or off the dance floor. This is called upaj (improvisation), a characteristic component of Kathak dance. It is the coming together of the four fundamental elements of Kathak ~ Tayarai (technical ability), Layakari (deep understanding of rhythm), Khubsurti & Nazakat (beauty and grace & the subtlety of that beauty). To be prepared for what one might encounter on stage with live musicians, technical issues, in your home or car one must be ready. In Kathak, one's foundation of training and knowledge must become strong through hard work and discipline so that when you dance you can truly be free.
9 Principals of Pandit Chitresh Das & Chhandam School of Kathak
was the only mantra in my training under my Guruji, Pandit Chitresh Das. Not only on the dance floor but in everything we do. Life is full of the unexpected so you have to be ready for anything, on or off the dance floor. This is called upaj (improvisation), a characteristic component of Kathak dance. It is the coming together of the four fundamental elements of Kathak ~ Tayarai (technical ability), Layakari (deep understanding of rhythm), Khubsurti & Nazakat (beauty and grace & the subtlety of that beauty). To be prepared for what one might encounter on stage with live musicians, technical issues, in your home or car one must be ready. In Kathak, one's foundation of training and knowledge must become strong through hard work and discipline so that when you dance you can truly be free.
9 Principals of Pandit Chitresh Das & Chhandam School of Kathak