Episode Highlights

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(0:02:18) Start of the conversation

(0:04:38) Briding Sensitivity of the art with the sensibility of the audience

(0:14:52) Working with Portugese Texts and adapting them to Kathak

(0:18:30) The importance of absorbing other art forms for a dancer

(0:21:05) Tips on preventing analysis paralysis, overthinking

(0:25:20) Being intentional with your costume

(0:27:16) The arts scene in Portugal

(0:29:09) Dança Tradicional vs Dança clássica

(0:31:08) Being "The Only" in a room of others

(0:33:26) Tips on assimilating into a new culture

(0:37:40) Teaching Portugese students how to prounce Kathak Bols

(0:42:53) A song from a distant land: Uma Canção de país Longínquo

(0:44:27) Working with an Indonesian Ensemble: Gamelan

(0:51:53) What drives Lajja to take on difficult challenges

​Trained under the visionary Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia who in the early phase of her thought process almost obligated her to learn under her tutelage. A visionary at core she taught me to build the bridge between life and art and to appreciate the dignity of human body as a dancer.

Lajja´s UGC awarded Research Fellowship titled “Contemporary Sensibilities vis a vis the heritage of Kathak”, was completed under Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia. A post graduate gold medallist in Performing Arts –Kathak from MS University she has a strong training in Jaipur Gharana under Late Pt Sunderlal Gangani, Pt Harish Gangani and Pt Jagdish Gangani

She has choreographed solos and productions with her group of dancers along with various fusion projects with international artists from various disciplines, like amalgamating Kathak with Indonesian Gamelan. Her choreography of Kathak to composer Cesar Viana´s “Café Oriente” was very well received. Her production “Uma Canção de país Longínquo” wherein she choreographed Kathak to Portuguese literature from celebrated Portuguese poets Fernando Pessoa and Luis de Camões was received with much critical acclaim.

Her academic studies have flourished delivering lectures as a visiting faculty at various academic institutions and are complimented with paper readings at the World Forum,Den Hague, SIEF Congress, Lisbon,Portugal etc.

Further, she holds a graduate degree from the Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, in Clothing and Textiles specializing in Indian Handlooms.

Based in Lisbon, Portugal and Ahmedabad, India; she divides her time to further her art though her work.

Intro Audio Credit: Bansure Raga | Doug Maxwell