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| GURU PANDITA DR. ROHINI BHATE |
To be introduced as a Kathak dancer gives me immense joy
and pride. I have trained in Kathak for so many years now that I have stopped
counting! The learning never ends!
As eager young kids, we would hear about ‘Baby tai’ from
our Guru. All we knew was that Baby tai was a great Guru and a brilliant Kathak
exponent. We never actually had an opportunity of meeting her or seeing her
perform. I vaguely remember one Guru Poornima celebration in Pune where we made
a special trip from Goa. I was mesmerized by all the dancers trained by Baby
tai and I thought ‘WOW !!’, ‘Will I ever
be able to achieve that?’ We returned to Goa and practiced very hard inspired
by this Pune trip. Its only in 2003 that I actually had this phenomenal
experience of learning under a great Guru. It was a long wait..... I made Pune
my city and was fortunate and blessed to have been promoted to her class. But
wait! Who is Baby tai? Her disciples refer to her fondly with the name – ‘Baby
tai’. To the Kathak circle the name needs no introduction. She is the renowned
Kathak Exponent and Guru - Pandita Dr. Rohini Bhate and 14th November is her Birth
Anniversary. On this occasion, I endeavour to bring forth to you what a great
artiste and Guru she was and will be.
Guru Pandita Dr. Rohini Bhate was born on 14th
November 1924. She was an eminent Kathak danseuse and Kathak Guru. Her
expertise however was not limited only to Kathak. She was also a scholar, an
accomplished Hindustani classical vocalist and music director. She founded the Nrityabharati
Kathak Dance Academy in the year 1947 at Pune. Maharashtra had no history of
classical dances although it has a rich tradition in theatre, folk dances and
Hindustani classical music. Guru Rohini ji was instrumental in bringing Kathak
to this region and sowing the seed so deeply that it has blossomed and branched
out towards every corner of the state. Pune is now prominent on the cultural
map, all thanks to her endless efforts.
Guru Rohini ji came from a middle class family of
Brahmins and was initially trained in Bharatanatyam. Later she received
training in Kathak from the legends themselves! Guru Lacchu Maharaj ji of the
Lucknow gharana and Guru Mohanrao Kalyanpurkar ji of the Jaipur gharana. They
are the doyens of their respective gharanas! Guru Rohini ji travelled
extensively between Pune and Lucknow for her love towards Kathak. Her
perseverance, hardwork, focus and passion knows no bounds. During our lessons
with her, when she shared her experiences, I felt that how can one become like
her? So much hard-work, so many sacrifices.....Perhaps that is why we have the
term exceptional beings....We can never become like them.
Guru Rohini ji enhanced and enriched the Kathak
repertoire with timeless compositions. Once you learn them or see a performance
by her disciples you will understand her flair for the adaptation of the oral
tradition, her deep knowledge and understanding of the Kathak technique and
aesthetics of the talas and her novel approach towards Abhinaya. Most of the
times, she composed her own ‘sahitya’ (text) and music for her choreographies.
She wrote numerous papers and her contributions towards the Kathak curriculum
are sought by various Universities. She has served on the Advisory committees
of Kathak Kendra New Delhi and Khairahgarh University to name a few. Guru
Rohini ji has authored four books in Marathi and one in Hindi. Laheja, Mazhi
Nrutya Sadhana, Mee Isadora and Darpani Pahata all in Marathi and
Kathakdarpandeepika in Hindi.
She has been conferred with numerous awards such
the Maharashtra State
Puraskar (1977), Sangeet Natak Academi Puraskar ( 1979),
Nrityavilas, Sur Singar Parishad, Mumbai (1980), Nrityagandha, Ganawardhan,
Pune (1982), Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar (1990), Godavari Gaurav Puraskar by
Kusumagraj Pratishthan Nashik (1994), Pride of Pune, Residency Club of Pune
(1995), Sangitshri, Janasammohini Foundation, Pune (1996), Emeritus Fellowship,
Government of India (1997), Kalidas Sanman by Govt of Madhya Pradesh (1997), Jeevan
Sadhana Gaurav Puraskar by Pune Vidyapeeth (1999), Vasundhra Pandit Puraskar,
Vasundhara Pandit Pratishtan, Pune (2003), Doctorate in Literature [D. Lit] by
Deccan College, Pune (2004), Ratna Puraskar by Sangeet Natak Akademi (2006).
Guru Rohini ji taught us to never aim for awards and
recognition. She urged us to dance, to practice selflessly, to honour our
commitment towards the art and to never give up on ourselves. She not only
inspired us in our professional lives but in our personal lives as well. Her
philosophy towards life is reflected in her dance and her choreographies. She
was a strict disciplinarian and gave utmost importance to details. She asked us
to strive for perfection in anything that we chose to do. Even when it came to
sweeping our classroom!!
Her work in the field of Kathak is tremendous and
extensive with a deep thought and analysis behind every composition. A novice
like me is in no position to put forth a critical acclaim of her work. I have
no credentials to do such a thing however I only hope to make you aware of her
greatness. Guru Rohini ji has to her credit fifteen dance-dramas and
choreographies. Her ballet choreographies include Malhar, Zelmache Ashru, Usha
Sukta, Nrutya Gopal, Parjanya Sukta, Rutusamhar, Bindakahe, Udgar, Samay,
Pawas, Maun, Tanmatra and Udaan. Apart from these there are a host of rhythmic
compositions and choreographies in the technical aspect of Kathak such as Roop
Kathak, Tarang, Triveni to name a few as well as in the abhinaya aspect which
include a number of vandanas, thumris, dohas and gats.
Its a rare opportunity to see such a great Guru. To meet
her and be under her tutelage for six years is a blessing for a lifetime. Baby
tai (as we fondly call her), passed away on October 10, 2008 at the age of 83.
She left behind her a legacy in Kathak which we, her disciples will always
strive to protect and extend towards the society.
