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.