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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 22

An Enchanting Evening of Kathak:

Shinjini Kulkarni Mesmerizes Audience,

Upholding Parampara of Lucknow gharana

OUR BUREAU
Houston, TX

he stage at MATCHBOX 4
came alive with the rhythmic
Tgrace and timeless beauty of
Kathak as Shinjini Kulkarni, grand-
daughter of the legendary Pt. Birju
Maharaj, delivered a spellbinding
performance in Parampara. Carrying
forward the rich legacy of her grandfa-
ther, Shinjini captivated the audience
with her breathtaking footwork, ex-
pressive storytelling, and deep-rooted
devotion to the classical art form.
The concert beautifully embod-
ied its title, as the audience witnessed
the essence of lineage and tradition
unfold before them. “Parampara” is
more than just a word—it signifies
the continuity of artistic heritage, en- talent to the immersive experience.
suring that the grace and wisdom of The program commenced with
Kathak are preserved for future gen- an introduction by the Education
erations. Outreach Liaison, Vinita Arora,
The evening was a tribute to the who emphasized the significance of
soul of Kathak, blending tradition cultural preservation and artistic ex-
with a contemporary touch while change.
staying true to the essence of the Luc- In her vote of thanks, the Execu-
know gharana. Each movement, each tive Director Sheetal Bedi expressed
turn, and each expression reflected how gratifying it was for IAA to pres-
the lineage of a maestro, leaving the ent the granddaughter of the most
audience in awe of her artistry. renowned Kathak Maestro, Pt. Birju
The performance was nothing Maharaj. She fondly recalled that Pt.
short of mesmerizing, transporting Birju Maharaj had graced the IAA
spectators into a world where rhythm stage in 2016, during which a young
and emotion merged seamlessly. Shinjini had accompanied her grand-
With her impeccable technique and father as a dedicated student of Kath-
profound stage presence, Shinjini ak. Witnessing her evolution as an art-
Kulkarni once again proved that she ist reaffirmed the evening’s theme of
is a torchbearer of her grandfather’s “Parampara.” The evening was a true
timeless legacy. testament to this enduring legacy.
This unforgettable evening was A special acknowledgement to
made possible by Indo-American As- “Golden Ray Photography” by Thiru
sociation Houston, which organized for capturing the essence of the eve-
the show as part of its ongoing com- ning through stunning photography,
mitment to promoting classical Indi- These sessions provided young danc- ciation for the art form. preserving the magic of the perfor-
an arts. Parampara marked the third ers with the invaluable opportunity to The evening was further elevat- mance for years to come.
show of the 2025 season on March 2, learn from a distinguished artist and ed by the presence of live musicians, As the final beats echoed through
continuing IAA’s tradition of bring- culminated in a special performance whose expertise brought depth and the theater, the standing ovation
ing world-class performances to the alongside Shinjini. vibrancy to the performance. Accom- spoke volumes—the audience had
Houston cultural scene. The academy’s founder and artis- panying Shinjini were Pt. Gaurisankar witnessed something truly unforget-
In addition to her stellar per- tic director, Shiva Mathur, along with (Tabla), Tarika Nath (Vocal), Sameer table. Parampara was not just a dance
formance, Shinjini conducted work- her daughter Tarika Nath, played an Kotasthane (Harmonium), Shek- recital; it was a celebration of tradi-
shops with the students of Shivangini instrumental role in mentoring these har Phatak (Harmonium/Vocal), tion, passion, and the enduring spirit
Academy on Friday and Saturday. students and fostering a deep appre- each contributing their exceptional of Indian classical dance.

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