Tribute to a legend

Senior Kathak disciple, Manisha Sathe, though not a disciple of Rohinitai, said, the celebrated guru had witnessed a number of her performances, and the fact that she was watching was a great motivation for her. 8220;My guru Gopi Krishnaji took Kathak to international standards and on similar lines, at a time when performances by women were not looked at with respect, Rohinitai brought respect to this dance form not only in India but also across the globe. She absorbed the initial shocks and laid an easy path for us. With this an era in the history of Kathak has ended,8221; said Sathe.

Yogini Gandhi, senior Kathak and Odissi dancer, said Rohini Bhate was amongst the very few artists whose life was an extension of her art. 8220;She represented some of the highest tenets of classicism and it is these values and principles that will continue to inspire generations of dancers. Over the years many things that she has said have remained with me as beacons of light that show you the correct path. One of them that come to mind now is her belief that a dancer should be illuminated from within; it is the inner radiance that reflects upon the face and not the light from outside. She guided and led through example and the greatest tribute to her would be to be true to one8217;s art and carry on the quest for perfection,8221; elaborated Gandhi.

Actor and dancer Sharvari Jamenis called Rohinitai her guru, mother and guide. 8220;I have spent almost 20-25 years of my life closely observing Rohinitai. In fact I took up dancing seeing her perform. Rohinitai was a living legend and an expert all-rounder in aspects related to Kathak like music, literature, languages and so on. Every student of Nrityabharati, strived to be like her,8221; said Jamenis.

Rujuta Soman, Kathak dancer and Rohinitai8217;s disciple, referred to her the embodiment of dedication, knowledge and determination. 8220;Even after her by-pass surgery she had the stamina and energy to give an hour-and-a-half long performance. We are lucky to have got a guru like her. It is now our responsibility to carry on the legacy of Rohinitai,8221; said Soman. According to dance critic Sunil Kothari, 8220;There was a certain grace and gentleness associated with her. Nrityabharati was a cultural index of life. The institution and Rohini made Maharashtra proud. For Rohini, recognition came late in life. Hers was the quality that the Sanskrit writers convey by the phrase Sthiradyuti Jyoti 8212; the steady dance.8221;