Kathak mudras of danseuse depict story of Krishna’s birth

SD Sharma

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Chandigarh, August 2

Versatile and vivacious Kathak danseuse, Elisha Deep Garg (23), the foremost disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj, the Kathak legend, gave an enthralling dance performance in a specially organised programme ‘Nrityanjali’ by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi at Tagore Theatre on Thursday.  

Elisha commenced the recital with ‘Krishna Janam’ as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But Elisha was at her best as she depicted the silent heartfelt pangs of mother Devki, as her infant son was being taken away by Vasudeva to Gokul. She presented traditional compositions of pure Kathak in ‘teen tal’ both medium and fast paced tempo. Elisha completed first phase of recital with an entrancing romantic Thumri  ‘Lapak jhapak pag rokat Shyam’ written and composed by her mentor Pandit Birju Maharaj.   

Displaying an adroit mastery and stamina Elisha presented the concluding  sequence ‘ Chhoom chhanan bajat payaliya’ showing ‘tode tukde’ and ‘gat nikas’ symbolising the dance of the Lord Krishna which he used to perform to entice Radha and ‘gopians’. 

Sharing her experience as a young performer, Elisha said, dance was the complete art with elements of music, poetry, drama pervasive therein. My guru ji advised all disciples to be a noble human first before aspiring to be a star 

dancer. The challenges before young artistes especially without any godfather are more  but one has to fight out as in other spheres of life.