Wednesday, November 4, 2009

RECORDS AT YEMEN



RECORDS AT QATAR...



ress coverage in indian papers after her return from gulf

Kathak danseuse Pratishtha touches the hearts of gulf countries



Acharyaa Pratishtha with Ms. deepa Wadhva, Indian Ambassador, Qatar


Born with bells in her feet


Kathak danseuse Pratishtha touches the hearts of gulf countries


This was for the first time that not only the lovers of Indian classical dance but the ambassadors, governors, diplomats from different countries beside media person, common men and school children in Doha, Taiz, Sanaa, and Aden the important cities of Yemen and Qatar were thrilled to witness the mind blowing kathak performance of Indian Kathak danseuse Pratishtha based on depiction of Nav Rasa (nine emotions of human nature). Pratishtha succeded in establishing the concept of global family (Yetra Vishwam Bhavetyek Needam) and message of spiritualism through her solo kathak dance based on the tales from Ramayana and Geeta during her two weeks visit to gulf countries. The ethics behind the tales of Ram and Seeta & Radha and Krishna touched the people of gulf deeply and keep them in tune with this dancer of international repute. The performance of Pratishtha captured the banner position in gulf news papers such as “Qatar Tribune Nation”, “Yemen Times”, “Yemen Observer”, “Al Thawrah” and “Thawrah” etc.

Her performance with live orchestra in DMIS at Doha the capital city of Qatar was inaugurated by HE Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa the Indian Ambassador and Ambessador of Japan to Qatar HE Yukio Kitazume was the chief guest.

The daughter of world renown yoga guru 'Padmashri' Bharat Bhushan ji and Isht Sharma Kathak performer of International repute Pratishtha is popularly known as the Youngest Yogacharyaa whose yoga shows are at telecast on different TV channels and is the first ever artist who has equal command over two great arts Dance & Yoga, the blessings of Lord Shiva who is known as Natraj and Yogiraj.

Pratishtha's historical dance with artistic interaction with huge gathering on the occasion kept the audiance spell bound. Pratishtha's show in sanaa, Tiaz and Aden the three main cities of Yemen made her so popular among the people of this country that this entire program organized by Indian Embassy became a joint venture of India and Yemen under the patronage of Yemeni Ministry of Culture. Indian Ambassador to Yemen HE Praveen Verma on the occasion said, "We are on fast track in our political, economical and cultural relationships and looking to participate in the development of Yemen's infrastructure as well." He invited Yemeni artists to perform in India a give an opportunity to reciprocate the wonderful hospitality. Yemeni minister of culture Muhmad Abu Bkr al-Maflahi along with several other diplomats attended the function. He said, "I hope the event such as today's will promote our cultural relations with India."

Pratishtha and her troop of four musicians – Yogesh Gangani on Tabla, Md. Ayub on Sarangi, Amit on vocal and Dheeraj on Padant concluded the visit to gulf countries with her performance at Palestine Hall of Aden. The show was inaugurated by Abdul Galeel Al-shaoibi the chairman of Aden Free Zone who referred to the historical relations between the two countries and admired the cultural heritage that India has in the world. He said that the performance of this great dancer will prove a strong foundation for economical, commercial and cultural coexistence. HE Praveen Verma the Ambassador of India mentioned that the purpose of such performance as of Pratishtha, is to promote and strengthen the aspects of cultural cooperation between the two countries, pointing to Indo Yemeni relations for hundreds of years.

Pratishtha's performance as an interesting mixture of dance, narration and acting won the wider appreciation from the audience and the dignitaries. The crew led by Pratishtha was welcomed at Indira Gandhi International Airport by her kathak admirers from National Institute of Kathak Dance, and her family members. She gives the credit of her achievements to her parents and husband CA Dheeraj Saraswat who are always by her side to guide, help and motivate.

She has performed extensively in India as well as the U.S.A., Japan, Indonesia, Iceland and many other countries. She had the honor to be the member of cultural crew gone to Iceland and London with President APJ Abdul Kalaam and perform in the presence of Presidents of the two countries.

Pratishtha gives the credit of all her achievements to her parents, Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani and her husband.

अरब देशों का बैनर न्यूज़ बनी नत्यांगना प्रतिष्ठा

अरब देशों का बैनर न्यूज़ बनी नत्यांगना प्रतिष्ठा

तीन राज्यों के गवर्नोर और अनेक राजदूत भी जुटे अद्भुत नृत्य प्रस्तुति में


यह पहला मौका था जब भारत का "यत्र विश्वं भवत्येक नीडम्" यानी 'विश्व परिवार' का सन्देश देने वाली अध्यात्मिक विरासत पर आधारित कत्थक नृत्य प्रस्तुति का रस लेने के लिए 'यमन' और 'क़तर' जैसे अरब देशों के प्रमुख शहरों 'दोहा', 'सना', 'तायज़' और 'अदन' में भारत की कत्थक नृत्यांगना 'प्रतिष्ठा शर्मा' को देखने सुनने के लिए न सिर्फ नृत्य रसिक बल्कि विविध धर्मों के लोग तीन राज्यों के गवर्नोर यमन के संस्कृति मंत्री भारत समेत अनेक देशों के राजदूत मीडिया और राजनयिक जुटे.

आई. सी. सी. आर द्वारा आयोजित अरब देशों में प्रतिष्ठा शर्मा के दो हफ्ते के प्रवास में कत्थक नृत्य की थिरकन से बंधे क़तर देश वासियों के प्रतिष्ठा के प्रति आकर्षण का परिणाम ये रहा की उसकी नृत्य प्रस्तुतियों को दोनों देशों के सामूहिक आयोजन का रूप दे दिया गया. यमन में हुई हर नृत्य प्रस्तुति में भारतीय राजदूत- यमन प्रवीण वर्मा स्वयं उपस्थित रहे व् यमन के संस्कृति मंत्री मोहमद अबू बकर अल मफ्लाही ने कार्यक्रम की सराहना करते हुए कहा "इस तरह की नृत्य प्रस्तुतियां भारत से हमारे संबंधों को और गहरा कर देती हैं" . दुनिया की सबसे छोटी उम्र की योगाचार्या होने का गौरव पा चुकी प्रतिष्ठा 'पद्म श्री" योगिराज भारत भूषण जी की पुत्री हैं, प्रतिष्ठा के योग कार्यक्रम कई टीवी चैनल्स पर आते हैं व् इन पर भगवान् शिव के योगिराज व् नटराज दोनों ही स्वरूपों की कृपा होने के कारण उनका योग व् शास्त्रीय नृत्य में सामान अधिकार है. अपनी प्रस्तुति में प्रतिष्ठा ने राम व् कृष्ण की कहानियों के माध्यम से प्रत्येक मनुष्य में स्थित नव रसों का ज्ञान करवाया.

प्रतिष्ठा शर्मा ने कत्थक नृत्य को लीक से हट कर एक नयी परिभाषा दी और प्रतिष्ठा की नृत्य प्रस्तुति को अरब देशों के 'क़तर ट्रिब्यून नेशन', 'यमन टाईम्स' , 'अल्ताब्राह', 'यमन अब्ज़र्वर' व् 'तवाराह' जैसे अखबारों ने न सिर्फ प्रमुखता से छापा बल्कि ये वहां के अखबारों का बैनर न्यूज़ बन गया. क़तर की राजधानी दोहा में संस्कृति केंद्र के अध्यक्ष श्री वर्गीस व् जनरल सेक्रेटरी हबिबुल्नाबी के आलावा अरब के कई नृत्य प्रेमी उपस्थित थे व् कार्यक्रम का उद्घाटन किया भारतीय राजदूत दीपा गोपालन वाधवा व् जापान के राजदूत यूकियो कित्ज़ुमे ने.

अदन के पेलेस्तिन हॉल में प्रतिष्ठा की नृत्य प्रस्तुति में मोजूद अदन फ्री ज़ोन के चीफ अब्दुल गलील अल शोहाबी ने यमन और भारत के बीच आर्थिक व्यावसायिक व् सांस्कृतिक संबंधों की चर्चा करते हुए भारत की महान सांस्कृतिक विरासत का उल्लेख किया और कहा की प्रतिष्ठा शर्मा ने जो समान संस्कृति की नींव अपने नाच के माध्यम से डाली है उसे और अधिक प्रोत्साहन की ज़रूरत है, उससे यमन और भारत के बीच आर्थिक व् व्यावसायिक ही नहीं बल्कि अन्य क्षेत्रों में भी सहयोग को बल मिलेगा.

स्वदेश लौटने पर नयी दिल्ली स्थित कत्थक नृत्य के राष्ट्रिय संस्थान के नर्तकों व् शास्त्रीय नृत्य प्रेमियों ने हवाई अड्डे पर उसका स्वागत किया तो उसकी अगवानी को मोजूद उसके पिता 'पद्मश्री' योगिराज भारत भूषण, माँ इष्ट शर्मा, पति धीरज सारस्वत, राष्ट्र वंदना मिशन अध्यक्ष व् शहीद भगत सिंह के भतीजे किरनजीत संधू व् मोक्षायतन इंटरनेशनल योगाश्रम परिवार के मुख्य साधकों को देख प्रतिष्टा भाव विभोर हो उठी. प्रतिष्ठा इससे पहले और कई देशों में अपनी नृत्य प्रस्तुति दे चुकी हैं जैसे - अमेरिका, जापान, इंडोनेशिया, आइसलैंड इत्यादि. भारतीय राष्ट्रपति अबुल कलम जी के संस्कृतिक मंडली का हिस्सा बन प्रतिष्ठा भारत व् आइसलैंड दोनों राष्ट्रपतियों के समक्ष आइसलैंड में भी अपनी प्रस्तुति दे चुकी हैं. प्रतिष्ठा अपनी सारी सफलता का श्री अपने माता पिता गुरु पंडित राजेंद्र गंगानी व् अपने पति को देती हैं.

QUESTIONS asked by Acharyaa Pratishtha after her return from Gulf




1. When and how did you learn that a program had been chalked out for your tour to Gulf ? Why Gulf ?

As I’m an empanelled artist of ICCR- Indian Council for cultural relations, infact the youngest empanelled artist of ICCR, they send Eminent artists from India to other countries to promote and explore Indian culture. I ve been doing regular programs of ICCR and in continuation of that I got a call regarding this program. First they wanted to give 6 to 7 countries and it was scheduled to be a month long trip but b’coz of my prior engagements here at India I requested them to half the time i.e. 15 days and just three countries. This trip was scheduled for August 2009 but b’coz of RAMZAAN it was shifted to October.

2. Who had accompanied you ? Did you know all of them already?

As it was a SOLO PERFORMANCE tour (very few artists get SOLO PERFORMANCE tour from ICCR, generally they go in groups) hence I took 4 musicians with me on Table, Vocal, Sarangi and padant/ Poetry recitation.
All these were my regular accompanists and I was the only one who selected and recommended their names.


3. Had you been to Gulf before ?

No! it was my first ever tour to Gulf, though I’ve visited Japan, Indonesia, Iceland, London, Singapore, USA and lot more but to Gulf this was my first tour.

4. What preparations were needed by you and the group before reaching there?

Well… I took lot of new and beautiful costumes with me and most imp part is that all costumes were stitched at my beautiful Saharanpur , of course TWO pair of ghoonghroos as in case 1 gets damaged, same way table player was carrying two pair of Tablas. Then in our personal tours we take special care of the packing b’coz almost at every airport the authorities open and check our luggage b’coz of UNUSSUAL stuff like ghoonghroos, tabla, sarangi, lot of jewelry but in such trips that are sponsored by GOVT OF INDIA we are allotted WHITE PASSPOSRT i.e. DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT so we get VIP treatment everywhere and no checking problem exists hence we really were comfortable and didn’t prepared a lot. 

But yes as ‘m strictly vegetarian hence I always have to do lot of preparations regarding my food. I always carry lot of ready to made vegetarian food with me and as it was Gulf so I did a bit more preparation.


5. What specific themes had you planned for the tour ? Any specific reasons ? Were you briefed about the tastes of the audience there?


MMMM… not exactly! I wasn’t briefed about the taste of the audience there but yes I knew that they like GHAZALS and all more… but still my theme was “DANCE WITH DIVINE” coz I was sent there to promote and explore Indian Culture. What they watch regularly and they are used to of watching… I too go there and show them the same then what would be new? Or what would be my contribution? As dance is not at all a mere set of physical movements and specially KATHAK is such a dance form through which we can always keep the great stories of great men ALIVE. Hence I chose this theme and by the God’s Grace and my parents blessings it was liked and appreciated like anything else  This was the theme which was published with the invitations as well:
‘Dance with Divine’

Each individual is destined to cross the ocean of joys and sorrows all through his life, experiencing the truth of life and finally blend in Divine. The nine emotions (Rasas) are the root of entire literature composed in all languages and all human activities. Dance is there to express these states of human mind and lead him finally to ultimate Rasa the ‘Aanand’ or the ‘bliss’. Different great men born in different ages in different corners of this beautiful world have added a lot to enrich our lives. Such two great heroes born in India are ‘Rama’ and ‘Krishna’.
Pratishtha Sharma the world acclaimed dancer par excellence has brought her globally acclaimed performance based on the tales of Rama & Sita and Krishna & Radha for us to present how the nine rasas add color to our lives and how we can go beyond the bondages of ‘Karma’ through the path of Nishkam Karm Yoga (Self less service). Pratishtha’s presentations have nothing to do with any particular faith, sect or religion but she is blessed with a vision to see the different cultures of our beautiful world enriching the human race with true religion that has been leading us to continuous evolution.
The presentation begins with Krishna Stuti i.e. appreciation of Krishna the perfection (the word ‘Krishna’ means dark-as the Divine is dark and abstract for all unless we realize Him). All the nine Rasas are depicted in the next Thaat. Different Rasas are beautifully displayed through different incidents of Maryada Purushottam Ram and Sita’s life that is in true sense the applied form of Rasas.
The beautiful depiction of the tales of Krishna’s incarnation and Lord Shiva witnessing this rare incidence, incidents of Makhan chori (Butter stealing) by Krishna as butter symbolizes the Essence of life or the Rasa. Tales of Kalia Mardan (controlling the evils of the society), Incident of Govardhan Dhaaran (saving the people of Brij from the torturing of Lord Indra [the god of rains] by developing Govardhan mountain). After living and tasting all the different Rasas finally meeting Radha the fair consciousness as radha is depicted as fair in complexion.
This presentation concludes with Radha Krishna Milan or the merger of individual with Divine as all rivers move from the places of their origin and after covering a long journey across mountains and plains, narrows and broads finally blend in to vast ocean. This is the state of true joy which is presented by Pratishtha with Paniharin (filling her pot with the nectar from the source) and Holi (the festival of rejoice and colors). This rejoice concludes in the wonderful and rare dialogue of music and the movement of the dancer called Jugal bandi and the message of karma (Duty)and Yatra Vishwam Bhavatyek Needam (world brotherhood) through holy text Srimad Bhagwadgita.


6. Did the spectators also know you beforehand ?

My profiles, Brief about me were attached with the invitations there and moreover the INTERNET is a big medium these days so no. of viewers came and met me and told me “Oh earlier we thot KATHAK????? Who the hell will go to witness a kathak performance? But then we searched for you on net and we were just amazed!!!! You are a miracle of kathak and that insisted us to come here and be a part of this great show”.
And then out of my expectation number of spectators were regular viewers of my Yoga Show at Zee Network so it gave me a wonderful feeling 


7. How many shows were planned for you?


Seven shows were there in total.

8. Did you feel any language barrier between you and your spectators ? How was the rapport with them ?

Only at ‘Yemen’ language problem was there otherwise everywhere English was understood by all and specially at Qatar more than English Hindi was common. At Yemen I used very simple English language and I learned few of the Arabic words like “KAIF HALAK” “TAMAAM” “SHUKRAN” and I also took a very common LOK GEET in Arabic , composed it hand to hand and concluded the show with that Arabic LOK GEET and in result of that viewers gave a standing ovation. I told them in the beginning only “Of course there is a language problem every where and this might be the reason that BHARAT MUNI mentions different rasas in natya shastra, language of emotions if far more better than words and today you and me will connect through that language only- language of emotions, language of dance!”

9. Do you have any video recordings of the programs? Can we use 1 or 2 minute clips on our website ?

No we don’t have videos  But yes lot of pics are there, you can for sure use those pics 

10. What appealed you most during this tour ? Would you care to go there again ?


The most important and appealing part was the involvement of GOVT. specially at YEMEN. Mr. Praveen Verma, Ambassador of India, YEMEN and Mr. Mahendra Khurana, First secretary, Indian Embassy, YEMEN was with us each and every movement of our 4 day stay there which gave a very warm hospitality feeling and along with these eminent Indian officials presence of YEMEN Officials – specially MINISTER OF CULTURE, YEMEN in every show was a wonderful and warm feeling.
Especially at Qatar the involvement of ICC i.e. Indian cultural centre, a kind of Indian association was just awesome. They made wonderful arrangements for everything and at Qatar it was a home like feeling.
Response of viewers was just amazing they could understand everything and they even explained me the deepest of expressions of my performance and out of our expectations they liked the MAKHAN CHORI, PANIHARAN and RAMAYANA a lot in the entire performance.
Of course I would love to visit there again.

11. How the spectators in Gulf countries are different from others- if they are different ?

Yes they are different as I’ve mentioned earlier their understanding level was really good apart from the language problem as well. According to me the reason is that somewhere there roots are here only that’s why they could understand and enjoy MAKHAN CHORI, PANIHARAN, RAMAYANA and DIFFERENT LILAS OF KRISHNA.
And secondly they don’t get much opportunity to witness such performances there hence they really enjoyed it.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Acharyaa Pratishtha Performed at Oman, Yemen and Qatar and all the performances were rocking!
here are the pics

Saturday, September 19, 2009

MOKSHAYATAN DANCE FOUNDATION


Mokshayatan Dance Foundation is the cultural wing of Mokshayatan International Yogashram headed by Acharyaa Pratishtha.

"Mokshayatan Dance Foundation is a modern view to traditions…presenting cultural heritage with modern techniques and exploring new vision.” Says Acharyaa Pratishtha, Director, Mokshayatan Dance Foundation.

It’s a specialized organization in Kathak dance and yog.
It has its own performing dance group and specialized dancers of different dance forms from Delhi.


It provides all kind of dances workshops, yog workshops all kind of dance shows when and where required… all kind of folk dances of India, Classical dances of India, modern dances etc.

Acharyaa Pratishtha has her own rules n believes, for any lecture demonstration at any educational institute she never charge her own honorarium.




ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS & HONORS


Topper (medalist) of 3 years hons course as well as 2 year post diploma course at Kathak Kendra, National Institute of Kathak Dance,

Empanelled artist of ICCR, Indian Council for Cultural Relations

Graded artist of Doordarshan.
Empanelled artist of Spic Macay.


Recipient of Scholarship by Kathak Kendra.


Recipient of National Scholarship by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

Honored with ‘Manasi Kala Samman’, ‘Kathak Samragyi’, ‘Natya Kala Ratna Samman’ and ‘Shreshtha Nagrik Samman’ by different organizations

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ACHARYAA PRATISHTHA



‘You are not only the youngest but the best.’
- H.H.APJ Abul Kalam, President Of India


‘Oh God ! She is too young.’
-Sushma Swaraj
Minister of information & broadcasting, Govt.Of India


‘A novel effort to preserve the classical & Cultural heritage of India.’
- Jagmohan
Minister of tourism & culture, Govt. Of India


‘I can see the cultural talent & spirituality in Pratishtha inherited from her family. Blessings and Good luck.’
- ‘Padma Shri’ Ruskin Bond, Writer


Pratishtha is too mature at such a young age.’
- Swadesh Deepak, Writer


‘I can see a multi dimension talent in this young girl’
- Nawaz Deobandi, Poet


‘You know how to spell bound your audience.’
- Isabele ana, Israel

‘I love India because of you and your yoga teachings my Guru.’
- Kenichiro Toyofuku, First secretary, Japan embassy

‘I never knew yoga can be so interesting.’

- Shimtz, Monk

‘I have never found a yoga teacher like you.’ - Helga, Iceland embassy

‘I was in another world when I practiced your meditation.’
- Asahiko, Japanese student

‘I never knew my body is a temple and my soul is the only God, thanks a lot for letting me know this though your wonderful teachings. I wish to give birth to my baby at this holy land of India only.’
- Yuka, Japan


‘I never know yoga can be so scientific.’
- Christia Germyn, Yoga Teacher, Canada

‘I met and spoke to my dead mother while practicing your meditation.’
- Kavita, Beauty Therapist

‘You are my ideal, I always wish to be like you.’
- Shikha, Student from Bhopal

‘ Acharyaa ji’s words have fire which provides a new enthusiasm.’
- Karvaris, student from Aligrah



‘I’m greatful to Acharyaa ji for changing my life with her meditations’
-Mukulini, Student from Jammu

‘ Youngest Yoga teacher.’
- Nick, Britain

‘Never seen a person with such a lot of energy like acharyaa.’
- Natasha, Sweden

‘I love my guru she never called me LINDY, she always called me HINDI, she is full of humor she is master of life.’
- Lindy, America
.
“Yogiraj and Natraj Pratishtha Sharma is the special combination of two great sciences of India Yoga Dance. There is a dancing rhythm in her yogic discourses and a yogi’s skill in her dance performances.”
-Bhopal Chronicle

“She has the skill to spell bound the audience and travel straight into their minds through her deep spiritual interaction in her meditation sessions.”
-Hindustan Times

“Talented Pratishtha trained under acclaimed Guru, presents a quality of response into her presentation.”
- The Hindu

“She has a breathless quality of unceasing speed giving her viewers a brain fag.”
- The Hindu

ACHARYAA PRATISHTHA AS A YOGACHARYAA

A convent educated arts graduate with honors but master of body, mind, soul and life management Yogacharyaa Pratishtha started learning yog in the womb of her mother as she is the daughter of world acclaimed Yog Guru Bharat Bhushan ji, the only ‘Padma Shri’ recipient in the field of yog sadhna by Govt. of India for his outstanding contribution in this field and has worked in more than 60 countries.
She learnt the science of yog under the expert guidance of her father and joined him on several concerts, tours, demonstrations and camps of National and International repute.

She took official training of yog under Guru Shankar Apte for 6 years at Kathak Kendra New Delhi.
From an early age she showed a special affinity towards the seers. She would listen to their talks and ask various questions and was really lucky to have the master at home itself to answer all her queries. Yogacharyaa Pratishtha started doing Yajan at the tender age of 5 as through her logical mind she exposed the scientific benefits of such high spiritual traditions. Even when she stayed at the hostel at New Delhi for her further studies she used to wake up four and practice her Yogabhyaas and yajan everyday. Her perfect yogic lifestyle discovered in her the YOUNGEST YOGACHARYAA and the MIND THERAPIST and she came out as a professional in this field when she joined as the yoga consultant at just 20 years of age and media launched her as the youngest yogacharyaa on 2nd Oct 2007.
She has,
· Worked as the yoga consultant at Amatrra Health Spa, Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.
Worked as a Yoga instructor in International Yoga Festival for many years.
· Worked as a yoga demonstrator in famous T.V. Serial “Yog Sadhna” at Delhi Doordarshan and “Total Tandurusti” at Zee News.
· Conducted a series of Yog sessions for Indian & foreign yog enthusiasts at ‘Mokshayatan International Yogashram’ at Saharanpur
Conducted Yog sessions at different countries like Japan, Indonesia etc.
· Choreographed a yog presentation for ‘Arogya 2006’ by Ministry of Health, Govt. of India.
· Performed yog postures for popular advertisement film ‘Incredible India’ by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
· Choreographed ‘Togetherness’, a fusion of dance & yog and many choreographies of kathak with the spine of yog.
Imparted yog training at Taj Mohatsava, Agra.
· Shared the joy of yog with very senior scientists of DRDO Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India at ITM Mussorie.

· Shared the joy of yog with the army officers at Meerut
· Imparted yog training to the officers and jawans of I.T.B.P. at Mirthi, Pithoragrah.
· Conducted innumerable yog camps for public at large at Noida, Ghaziabad, Indore, Rudrapur, Faridabad, Vadodara, Bhopal, Delhi and so on.

No matter she has given innumerable lectures on Yog all around the globe and has given her kathak performances in almost all reputed dance festivals of world but she loves to share with youth as she believes that they are the real NATION BUILDERS. Hence special youth programs are conducted by Mokshayatan International Yogashram where as a MIND THERAPIST she teaches them how to master their mind and become architect of their future. Her such approach has made her popular as the youth icon.
According to her, Yog is not a mere set of physical exercises, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a journey from ordinary to extra ordinary, it’s a journey of inner world that brings astonishing changes in the functioning of the mind, body and even soul of an individual. It provides more energy, enthusiasm and inner harmony to unlock the infinite potential and help the practitioner to cherish life and to see the divinity in each and every aspect of it. In just one word, Yogic life style makes the practitioner an Extra Ordinary one.

ACHARYAA PRATISHTHA AS A CHOREOGRAPHER







Acharyaa Pratishtha has choreographed many compositions for different organizations under the banner of Mokshayatan International Yogashram’s cultural wing – Mokshayatan Dance Foundation

STRENGTH, STAMINA AND SPEED… Knowing ourselves… we’ve all in us…Strength, Stamina and Speed all what we need is to realize it. And to realize, to know, to discover what we have within us we need to go inside… inside us… we need to visit our inner place.

SHIVEN SEH NARTANAM… Dancing With Shiva…

SACRIFICE… a patriotic Kathak Presentation based on martyrs of the Nation. As kathak means Katha Kahe so Kathak kehlaye… repetitions of the unknown katha is not at all important… I believe the Yug ke devata are the martyrs of India and sacrifice is their katha as dance is not at all a mere source of entertainment… its something more… mush more than just entertainment.

TOGETHERNESS… A fusion of dance and Yoga as the both forms are deeply connected to each other and are absolutely incomplete without each other as dance is not only concerned with body… many times the inner self dances. Yog is not a mere set of physical exercises… yog is what takes an individual soul to the universal and dance is what takes the individual soul to the universal.

MOODS… the Expression of feelings … There are different languages at different ares of the world with different use of words but still there is one language which is far away from words and speech which can be discovered only in the silence and that is the language of expression. Choreography is based on different emotions of life…romance, enjoyment, fear, valor, laughter, peace etc without words.




DANCE TO TRANCE … When the man was happy for the first time he danced. Many people say they don’t dance… I absolutely disagree with this statement as I truly believe that each and every soul dances sometimes physically and sometimes mentally. Dance is the ultimate journey which takes the dancer to the state of trance.

KRISHNA the Perfection… Lord Krishna is the symbol of perfection in our culture. Child? Like kanha, Adolescent? Like Kanha, Beloved? Like Kanha, Politician? Like Kanha, Warrior? Like kanha, Guru? Like kanha who gave the most famous lesion of yog – GEETA to the entire humanity.

SAMVAAD the dialogue… This choreography is all about the dialogue… the dialogue between the dancers… the dialogue between the dancer and the musicians… the dialogue between the music and the dance… the dialogue between the rhythm and the ghunghroos… the dialogue between the body and the mind and above all the dialogue between the individual soul and the universal soul.

AANANDA the real bliss… Aanand is the real quest of every soul. We all are striving for aanand but… where to find it???? I’m doing everything for Aanand but am I going to the right path? If yes then why I’ve not found it yet? Is Aanand a thing which I can hold? Is Aanand a place where I can reach? What is aanand and what is the right path to attain it?

MOKSHA the final destination



SITA...



PANCHTATVA...




ACHARYAA PRATISHTHA AS A KATHAK EXPONENT

Beautifully combining the grace of kathak, confidence of theatre, and agility of yog, Acharyaa Pratishtha daughter of world acclaimed yog guru PADMA SHRI Bharat Bhushan ji has evolved a unique dance style of her own. With her innate grace, assurance and striking personality she has very successfully carved a niche for herself in the world of kathak.

Acharyaa Pratishtha, through her performance at various prestigious dance festivals through out the world has carved special place for herself among the performers of kathak dance.
After realizing her interest in dance her parents took her to the field of her choice at the tender age of 5.She is a ‘Prabhakar’ (6 year course) in kathak with 1st division from ‘Prayag Sangit Samiti’, Allahbad.‘Visharad’ from ‘Bhatkhande MahaVidyala’

'M.A.' - Post Graduate’ from Khairagrah

‘Post Diploma’ from Kathak Kendra, National school of dance New Delhi (as a topper - medalist for entire period of 6 years).Empanelled Artist of ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations). Acharyaa Pratishtha, disciple of kathak maestro ‘Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani’ of Jaipur Gharana has attained exemplary proficiency in ‘laya’, ‘footwork’, ‘chakkar’ (pirouettes) and above all ‘Bhaava’ (expressions) and has performed all over world as group and solo presentations.

In her student life she got the opportunity to work with ranking kathak gurus such as Guru Rajendra Gangani, Guru Jaikishan Maharaj, Guru Geetanjali Lal and Guru Aditi Mangaldas.After completing her training at National School of Dance she tried to catch the modern time with taditional Kathak and along with her traditional kathak performances she started giving contemporary presentations based on kathak and yog, which came out as a divine dance.
As a dancer she has choreographed many
Productions given innumerable performances and lecture demonstrations and has conducted many workshops for Indian as well as foreign enthusiasts.

Acharyaa Pratishtha's world wide performances / stage shows



Zen Temple- Japan


Charity Show for tsunami victims- Jakarta, Indonesia


ICCR Presentation (in presence of president of Iceland and Mr. APJ Abul Kalam, President of India)- Reykjevik, Iceland.
Carnegie hall – New York, USA
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Muskut, Oman
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Salalas, Oman
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Sana, Yemen
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Tias, Yemen
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Aden, Yemen
Solo Kathak Performance organized by ICCR – Doha, Quatar
India International Centre – New Delhi
Asia Spa Awards – New Delhi
Lachoo Maharaj Kathak Mahotsava- New Delhi


Dikshant Festival- New Delhi (2001, 2005, 2007)State Film Festival- New Delhi


State Film Festival- Tiruvantpuram
Siemens Company Conference - Mumbai, Maharashtra
Siemens Company Conference – Goa
Siemens Company Conference – Mussorie
Siemens Company Conference - AgraWorld Women’s Day- New Delhi


Kathak Kendra Presentations- Kerela (Thrissur, Cheruthurthy etc.)
Jaipur Kathak Mahotsava- Jaipur


Rashtra Vandana Samaroh- Baghpath, U.P.


Teejotsava- Ludhiana, Panjab


Taj Mahotsava- Agra


Pavas Mahotsava- U.P


Kathak Katha Festival- Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh


Gughaal Mela- Saharanpur, U.P.


Resonance of India- Old fort, New Delhi


ONGC- Dehradun, Uttaranchal


NCZCC- Allahbad,


U.P.INTACH (Indian National Trust for art and culture) –New Delhi


PSK (Purva Sanskritik Kendra) – Delhi


Kathak festival- Udaipur, Rajasthan
Pravasi Bhartiya Seminar (NRI) - Rishikesh

Friday, July 3, 2009