Episode Notes

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We, Tania Dey and Pallavi Verma, are a twosome, with our practices in Kathak along with Contemporary Movement practices TANIA DEY: 

I am a Design Practioner, Facilitator along with a Kathak trainee and performer. My kathak dance journey so far: 

Age 7- 14: Training with Sushmita Ghosh, then a Senior at Bhartiya Kala kendra 

Age 14 - 16: Training under Jai kishan Maharaaj, Delhi Kathak kendra. Diploma prog.

Age 27 - 29: Contemporary dance technique and Chau under Santosh Nair, Yoga certification Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. 

Age 30 - to current : Various workshops Online and offline from Shika Khare, Eshani Sathe, Sushmita Ghosh Basu.

Currently I am in the process of making my own process with Kathak Vocabulary and looking at multiple perspectives away from linear / traditional approach in Kathak Pedagogy. I am very keen on exploring my design exposure with my Kathak training and see where it takes me.

PALLAVI VERMA: 

I am a dance practitioner based in Delhi. My dance journey began in 2016 with Sadhya Dance Company which trains and performs contemporary dance works with their movement base in Mayurbhanj Chau. In 2018, I started with my kathak learnings at Bharatiya kala kendar under Anukriti Vishwakarma, disciple of Jai Krishan Maharaj. I have been continuing with my training since then at Kendar. My kathak practice interests looks at embodied and experiential knowledge of the body: it's reflexivity, vulnerability and care alongside the technical craft of it. I completed my masters in Performance Practice (Dance) under Ambedkar University, Delhi in 2020. 

Currently, I am a part of 'Khuli Khirkee', a shared co working space for professionals engaged in performing arts(previously known by the name Gati Dance Forum). I also continue to work with contemporary dance practitioners in their choreographic works. I have been enjoying my kathak learnings through the inter disciplinary approaches mainly yoga, somatics and visual art. 

(0:03:53) The right time to start creating

(0:07:13) Jumping into things

(0:09:18) Creating for beginners/new students

(0:15:33) Current creative work

(0:19:24) Researching new ways of Talis and making sounds

(0:24:14) Relevant of dance and life

(0:28:26) Presentation of sound to the audience with a new vocabulary

(0:30:49) Does everything need to be big and loud?

(0:33:47) Accepting and rejecting new movement asthetics

(0:40:11) The power of a partnership: Strength and Dynamics

Intro Music Credit: Bansure Raga | Doug Maxwell