Gurbeer Singh Chawla takes a sneak-peek into the illustrious life of veteran Kathak exponent Maya Kulshrestha
When discussing Kathak, one of the eight main styles of Indian classical dance, the name Maya Kulshrestha immediately comes to mind. Beyond her skill as a classical dancer, she has made a substantial contribution to the advancement of Indian arts and upliftment of the poor as a philanthropist. Within the dance world, her workshops like ‘Indradhanush’ and her initiatives like ‘Sur Taal’ and ‘Rhythm Dance Festivals’ have made ripples. She has additionally shown an everlasting dedication to social problems as the founder of the Anjana Welfare Society (AWS) in Noida. During a thorough discussion, Maya Kulshrestha shares details about her background, how she combins Kathak and theatre in her performances, and her charitable efforts.
Fortune favours the brave
Maya Kulshrestha’s intensive training clearly demonstrates her passion for Kathak. She has a diploma in theatre studies, a Visharad from Khairagarh University, and a master’s degree in both Psychology and Kathak. Her educational background demonstrates her passion for academic success as well as her diverse interests. But it is Kathak that draws her to it time and again. Kulshrestha believes that the dance form chose her and not the otherwise.
“My parents wanted me to learn Kathak when I was three years old. I started enjoying it with time,”she says.
Potpourri of culture
Kulshrestha’s journey as a Kathak dancer is one of perseverance and self-learning. “I come from a
non-artistic family and had no godfather in the field. I had to learn everything through my experiences,” she recalls. Her first performance at the age of nine was a stepping stone, and by thirteen, she was choreographing to support her family financially. “It was a challenging decade, but it taught me how to make Kathak a full-time career,” she says. She has learned self-improvement and perseverance on her path to become a Kathak dancer. The distinction between her dance and a others is that she claims to write for her dance. “My emotions convey my story on stage so that the audience follows my chain of thoughts and connects with the performance,” she explains.
Art for a cause
Kulshrestha poses great empathy for child artistes and youngsters with unique needs, which drove her to start her charitable journey. “The difficulties faced by numerous kids touched me.
I adopted 30 children to provide them training in the vocational arts and a stage to display their skills,” she says. Her conviction in the transformational power of the arts is demonstrated by her projects.
Fiesta of Sur Taal and Rhythm
Kulshrestha was also the driving force behind the creation of Sur Taal and Rhythm Dance Festival, which strives to preserve and promote Indian classical arts. Sur Taal, which brings instructors and students together on stage, was founded to carry on the ancient Guru-Shishya Parampara. She explains, “Rhythm is a youth festival that promotes cross-cultural exchanges. With participation and acclaim from across the world, these festivals have developed into significant occasions.
My emotions convey my story on stage so that the audience follows my chain of thoughts and connects with the performance”
Showcasing Indian arts globally
Her goal with the Anjana Welfare Society is to introduce Indian art to international audience. “Our goal is to promote Indian art and traditions in all global societies. People need to understand how beautiful and inclusive Indian culture is,” says the artiste. Her goal of creating a culturally diverse society that honours and celebrates artistic legacy is furthered by this project.
Social impact through art
Kulshrestha’s dance recitals often reflect her social consciousness, inspired by her family and discussions about societal issues. “My parents and husband inspire me. Our conversations about social flaws motivate me to create art that expresses my opinions and the pain of others,” she shares.
Empowering the empowered
When discussing women empowerment, the artiste emphasizes the importance of financial independence and the pursuit of dreams at any age. “Every woman should be financially independent and pursue her dreams. Many women start learning Kathak at 30 or 40 and do it gracefully,” she says. She also the need for more support for the art froms the government. “There should be more opportunities and cultural exchanges to raise awareness about different art forms,” she observes.
Negotiating challenges
For Kulshrestha, dance and spirituality are key to overcoming personal and professional challenges. “Dance and pray. I am a follower of Krishna,” she states simply. This combination of physical expression and spiritual solace helps her navigate
difficult times.
Additionally she views awards as a dual-edged sword, bringing both recognition and responsibility. “Awards come with expectations and responsibility, no matter how big or small. They signify faith and acknowledgment of your work,” she reflects.
Balancing act
To keep her physical and emotional well-being intact she dedicatedly practices yoga and Kathak.
“I practice daily, I dance a lot, and I do yoga,” she shares in conclusion.
