Maneesha Nrityalaya’s golden jubilee celebration to showcase kathak legacy across 3 generations

As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Maneesha Nrityalaya, a unique programme called ‘Divine Confluence 2025’ will be held on June 22 at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch. The event will have a confluence of kathak dance, Japanese taiko drums, and other traditional Asian performances.

The highlight though is ‘Nritya Dhaara’, an emotionally evocative kathak performance that will feature the five dancers from three generations of the same family: Sathe, her daughter Shambhavi Dandekar, daughter-in-law Tejaswini Sathe and granddaughters Sarveshwari Sathe and Aalapi Jog.

In this extraordinary family, dance is more than just an art, it is a bond that weaves generations together, said Shambavi, 53, who set up her own institute in San Francisco (Shambavi’s International School of Kathak) to promote kathak. “All of us have been performing together since 2017,” she added.

A unique and captivating concept in the kathak world, Nritya Dhaara was first performed in the year 2017 at various cities in India and the US. At Divine Confluence 2025, they will be presenting choreographies that weave tradition, innovation and the deep bond of shared passion for dance.

Sathe told The Indian Express that ‘Divine Confluence’ will feature vibrant oriental performances such as the Japanese taiko drums, Korean fan dance, dragon dance, heaven lady scarf dance, and Chinese stick dance. There will be about 60 kathak dancers from the Maneesha Nrityalaya umbrella performing.

Meanwhile, the longstanding artistic dialogue between Sathe and renowned Japanese taiko drum artist Yasuhito Takimoto, which has spanned over three decades, will take a new shape through this event.

Takimoto’s youngest daughter Hagoromo Takimoto has witnessed the journey of taiko-kathak, since her childhood. Apart from performing with her father and teacher for many years, she has also received training in kathak from Sathe. At Divine Confluence, she will give a solo performance, showcasing the unique taiko playing style developed by Takimoto.

‘Divine Confluence’ will also feature a special kathak presentation by TANZ Kathak Academy run by Sathe’s daughter-in-law Tejaswini.