Episode Notes

Maneesha is the senior disciple of Late Guru Rohini Bhateji. She has taken intense training in the Lucknow – Jaipur Gharana, now known as 'Rohini' Gharana.She has done her Masters In Kathak from Savitribai Phule Pune University.She holds a diploma in Buddhist Physcology And Ethics from pune university pali department. Currently she is a Guru and a teaching faculty in the Lalit kala Kendra pune university. She is the founder and director of ‘Sukruti Kathak Dance Academy’ which has completed 32 years. Maneesha has a unique reportiere in presenting Buddhist literature through kathak dance. She has been the FIRST performer to present dance at the heritage sight of Bodhi temple at Bodhgaya, in 2016.She has also received special mention from His Holiness Dalai Lama and got the opportunity to perform in front of him and seek his blessings. Maneesha has choreographed and performed some unique compositions as poems of Harivanshrai bacchhan and performed in front of Amitabh Bacchhan and received mention in his blog too. She has also been fortunate to choreograph sequences and perform them for Lata mangeshkar.and Late Minister vilasrao deshmukh Choreographies & ballets impart an important place in today’s dance world. To sustain classical dance in the era of bollywood & reality shows, presentation plays a vital role. Performing classical reportoire in a beautifully choreographed sequence is an insight given to Maneesha by her guru Rohiniji . Maneesha has performed in all major festivals in India & performed & conducted workshops abroad. To name a few…. Sadaneera festival bhopal Konark Festival

Hampi Festival Mandu Festival Dhauli Festival Kaalidas festival Kalka binda festival She has also performed abroad in U.K. Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia ,Vienna, Zurich Maneesha is an eloquent speaker and has given lectures in reknown colleges on dance and space, dance and photography, origin of kathak etc.she also does programmes of poetry recital with a few dancers and theatre actors. Maneesha has done several choreographies like” Maya darpan” “MAYINI”, “Pravash” “SHIVTANDAV” and also choreographed for a short film. She has been awarded the title of Outstanding performer by RCJC PUNE. IN December 2017 she was felicitated by the Orissa mandal trust and conferred by the Devdasi award for consistent performance in the field of kathak.

Show Highlights

(0:03:37) Favorite thing about Abhinaya

(0:04:50) Finding depth in abhinaya

(0:10:05) Developing an appreciation for Abhinaya

(0:16:40) Emoting Thumris at a young age

(0:23:49) Dealing with Jealousy

(0:24:58) Creative process

(0:28:03) Favorite Creation

(0:31:24) Effects of social media

(0:39:39) What is considered good feedback/engagement?

(0:44:18) Sukruti Kathak Academy

(0:49:41) When students open their own academies

(0:53:52) Ensuring uniformilty across different branches

(1:00:02) Most memorable performance

(1:04:19) Relationship with the word Guru

(1:07:50) Legacy

Title Track Audio Credit: Doug Maxwell | Bansure Raga