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SMT. SHAMA BHATE
Shama has received training in Kathak from
Guru Rohini Bhate and Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. She is currently Founder - Director of Nad
Roop : an institute imparting training in Kathak and North Indian Classical music. She has
held teaching positions at the Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy and at the Department of
Performing Arts, University of POona, and is a sought - after juror and examiner for
Kathak examinations at the Bachelor's and Master's level.
Shama's theoretical study of Kathak makes her a discerning critic and reviewer. As a solo
performer, she has participated in major music conferences in India and abroad. Even as
her dance remains strictly traditional, she is quick to explore the possibilities of
innovative joint venetures. Recently, she performed in the Trilok Gurtu led jazz ensemble
that toured Europe (1998).
Her original perspective on Kathak allows her to choreograph abstract subjects and
contemporary themes with equal ease. Her personal idiom, evolved over the years, is an
amazing blend of virtuosity (tayyari) and sensitive abhinaya (expression), revealing the
high degree of classicism Shama has imbibed from her gurus.
DURGAM TRINETRAM BHAJE....
a Kathak exposition of facets of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is usually familiar to all
Indians in a ferocious manifestation - popular images worshipped all over the country
depict her as strong, blood - covered slayer of demons, with grimacing blood - stained
mouth, her hair unleashed in a torrent of violence against evil. In this choreography
Shama Bhate has painstakingly recerated sides to Goddess Durga's persona through
meticulous research : each story is cast in the Kathak tradition to make the presentation
a powerful statement of female strength.
Shama Bhate has conceived this choreography as a fusion at two levels : her research into
literature shows the myriad, less popular frorms in which Goddess Durga is venerated. And
thus explores the complexity of womanhood in various garbs : as nurturing mother,
dispeller of ignorance, and when the circumstances demand, a powerful destructive force.
To achieve this goal, Shama relies on the pure Kathak tradition of format. Vandanas, gats,
keertans, geets are used to advantage, each appropriately set to raagas. And nritta pieces
like taranas combine with the nritya gat-bhav to round out the depiction.
Elegantly presented, Durgam Trinetram Bhaje reveals Shama Bhate's understanding of her
tradition and her scholastic insight to expanding the boundaries of her art.
DESIGN 10 : USE OF SPACE IN DESIGN
Shama Bhate accepted the challenge of creating a Kathak choreography for an annual
conference of architects and designers. The notion of space, so vital to both art forms,
was to be expressed to reinforce its primordial importance. Space is articulated through
myriad ways in dance : the design becomes apparent in terms of lines, shapes and colours
conjoined for harmony and balance. Harmony is expressed through a complex relation between
space, silence, and sound, balance through the visual patterning of colour, lines, and
composition.
This composition is performed at visually different levels, the vertical lines so formed
suggesting the dimension which is so absent in Kathak but so present in Western dance, in
the high leaps and jumps. The next level suggests the kinetic principle which acts through
fluidity of elements, the sensuousness of movements and through the changeable potency of
line and shape mould the conceptual space into a divine design.
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Trustees
Vijay Ghate, Ramdas Palsule
Shantilal Shah, Rajendra Joshi
Dancers
Shama Bhate, Kaveri Agashe, Manansi Tapikar and
Sheetal, Mukti, Ketaki, Ashwini, Kavita,
Rashmi, Neha, Preeti
NadRoop
Nad Roop, one of the more active cultural organisations in Pune, aims at all-round
development of artistic talent through multi-faceted exposure to classical Indian art
forms. Nad Roop embraces vocal and instrumental music, and other dance forms in its
activities to bring about complete understanding of this composite art.
The Nad Roop platform is now recognised by artistes and the public for its wholesome,
traditional attitude to Indian classical art forms. To this end, the organisation has
sought to facilitate exchanges between dance schools in the city through Nritya Mohotsavs
and conferences. Stalwarts in the field have lent their talents to encourage and foster
young practitioners through guidance and workshops. Nationally and internationally known
Gurus like PT. Birju Maharaj, late Pt. Shanta Prasad, Guru Rohini Bhate and Pt. Suresh
Talwalkar are among the many who have contributed to Nad Roop's aesthetic activity.
CONTACT
Nad-Roop
1534, Leela Chambers, Sadashiv Peth,
Tilak Road, Pune - 411 030.
Phone No.: 91- 020- 4477465
E-Mail: bhatesr@pn3.vsnl.net.in
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