Lucknow celebrates Kathak as Birju Maharaj’s disciple Nayantara Parpia recreates magic

International Kathak performer Nayantara Parpia recently visited Lucknow to perform for the first time in the city of one of her gurus, Pandit Birju Maharaj.

“It’s nostalgic to be in Lucknow but without Maharaj ji it seems incomplete,” said Nayantara. “I was here with him when his ancestral home, the Kalka-Bindadin ki Dyodhi, was converted into a Kathak Museum in 2016. Sadly, I never got a chance to perform in the city that gave us Lucknow Gharana.” Nayantara has been practising Kathak for the last 25 years, with foundational learning under Yogini Gandhi followed by training under Maharaj ji.The event in Lucknow featured performances by Nayantara and her team, who presented acts including Ganesh Bhajan, Devaki, Thumri, and Tarana in teen taal, along with technical pieces in Taal Dhamaar set to music composed by Pandit Birju Maharaj.Nayanthra is based in Singapore and has been performing on stage for 15 years, “Performing in Lucknow for the very first time brought back innumerable memories for me from my past visit,” said Nayantara.

Accompanying dancers included, Rama Thakar, Aishwarya Rajput, Kruthi Sidharth and Swarali Teke.