Episode Notes

Show Highlights

(0:02:21) Driving force behind collaborations

(0:07:41) Performing Spontaneously on stage

(0:10:51) What happens behind the scenes during collaborations

(0:12:34) Work with Purbayan Chatterjee

(0:14:09) Level of readiness needed for collaboration

(0:16:24) The importance of listening to music

(0:18:51) Riyaaz rituals and nuances

(0:24:41) Using a mirror for riyaz

(0:26:31) The importance of finding the right apartment

(0:28:08) Behind the scenes: Mharo Pranam

(0:31:05) Dancing on rough surfaces

(0:31:41) The beginnings of Rujuta soman Cultural Academy

(0:38:43) Trends in previous decades

(0:41:18) When students go their own way

(1:00:56) Outreach work: Orphanages and NGOs

(1:08:09) Legacy and Impact

Rujuta Soman is one of the international leading Kathak dancers of India and founder of the Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy.

Rujuta was honed and polished under the tutelage of late Guru Pandita Dr. Rohini Bhate for over 20 years. She has completed her Master’s Degree in Kathak from Pune University. Born with an artistic flair, Rujuta has also explored the nuances of Taal and Laya under the guid?ance of Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar. Recently she is learning intricacies of Jaipur Gharana of Kathak under the able guidance of Pt Rajendra Gangani . She is creative advisor at Rithwik Foundation for Perfprming Arts, and also curator at Ishaanya- Art & Culture Club of Creaticity, Pune. Her academy, RSCA , is a knowledge partner with MIT ADT University.

She is mentor at M.E.S. College of performing arts, is on panel of Guru at Lalit Kala Kendra, (Savitri Bai Phule University) and BVDU School of Performing Arts. She is also working as a visiting faculty at Flame University, Pune. She has been bestowed with many honors and titles like “Nritya Alankaar” by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and “Singaar Mani” by Sur Singar Samsad. In January 2018 , Rujuta has been awarded the “ Shree Nandini award" for outstanding contribution in the field of dance by the FIFTH NOTE ACADEMY ( a new vertical of Shakhri Begum Memorial Trust) at the hands of Mr. Praveen Kadle , Ustaad Rashid Khan and Prof. Mandavi Singh . She has been awarded with “Dr. Vijaya Bhalerao Kathak Nrutya Puraskar” by Ganawardhan Sanstha, Pune (2019). Last year, Rujuta presented ‘Rajhansa’ in Kathak with over 13 dancers on stage ( it had lavish sets, costumes and music) on a theme of environmental concerns interlaced with two dancers’ journey and jealousy, and this mega production won the 'Mrinalini Sarabhai Choreography Award at the Trivandrum Festival.'

Rujuta is empaneled with 'Established Category' of ICCR's (Indian Council For Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs) reference panel of Artists. Under the aegis of the 'Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy', Rujuta and her dance troupe has delighted and enthralled dance enthusiasts all over India and the world at various prestigious platforms including China, France, United Kingdom and Germany. Through ICCR Rujuta has got an opportunity to travel and showcase Indian Culture through Indian classical dance Kathak along with her senior disciples to the seven European countries Switzerland, Ger?many, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Austria and Spain. The troupe had 17 performances and 2 workshops which were very well received.

Rujuta has performed in various prestigious music and dance festivals across India like 'Ganasaraswati Mahotsav' on one of the compositions by Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar, 'Khajuraho Festival', Swarateerth Festival', 'Kathak Mahotsav' by Kathak Kendra and many more. Additionally, she has collaborations with “ Saxophone melody and Kathak” with George Brooks, “Sufi and Kathak” with Suha Khan, “Kathak along with Rajasthani folk music” with the famous Mame Khan, "Flute and Kathak" with the great flautist Pt. Pravin Godkhindi. Rujuta was a part of the concept “Sangam” - a Confluence of Kathak, Sitar and Tabla featuring Purbayan Chatterjee , Ojas Adhiya and Rujuta herself. These performances were remarkably applauded and well-received. She has to her credit many productions like Rajahansa, Trishna, Krishna Sankeertan, Shivashakti Tatva, Bhairav Bhawataraka and many more which were highly appreciated on various presti?gious platforms.

FACETS

Rujuta has on her facets a video CD "Kathak Ranga"- A duet performance based on traditional Kathak repertoire produced and marketed by "Alurkar Music House" Pune. Rujuta also has the video CD of her production “Bhairav Bhavatarak” produced and marketed by R.S.C.A. Pune. Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy (RSCA) The Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy (RSCA) was founded and managed by Rujuta to provide one platform for her various teaching engagements. Here, she trains students of all ages from different cities and countries in pure classical Kathak - in gratitude to her Guru and to carry forward her work. RSCA aims to extend the boundaries of Indian traditional dance and create a new benchmark in the aesthetics of presentation by using state-of-the-art technology and innovative dance techniques. FILM CHOREOGRAPHY Rujuta has choreographed for the Marathi film 'Bayo' directed by Mr. Gajendra Ahire. She has also choreographed and performed in the Marathi film Mai-Baap also directed by Mr. Gajendra Ahire. Rujuta has also conceptualised and choreographed for some ad films. WORK REFERENCES

WEBSITE : www.rujutasoman.com

YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW_ZX9AkWYFg0L7sGbNmPWw

SOLO PERFORMANCES : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1peKDJqWWk4LXa7rERrGy?HQ9EfhS3oRX

FACEBOOK PAGE : https://m.facebook.com/rujutasomanculturalacademy/

LATEST PRESS REVIEWS :

https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/2077227/ SECTION-2/21-03-2019#dual/2/1/

Title Track Audio Credit: Doug Maxwell | Bansure Raga