Nrutyasaurabh (English)

Pre-Marriage…..trained under Guru Shree Badrinath Kulkami, Kolhapur.

Post-Marriage..trained under Guru Asha Joglekar and Guru Padmashri Nataraj Gopikrishna.

In the year 1976 she started her own institute named Shree Ganesh Nrutya kala Mandir in Thane. For past 46years she has trained nearly 7000 students. Several students trained under Shree Ganesh Nrutyakala Mandir have successfully completed levels of Nrutya Visharad and Nrutya Alankar. She has been an Examiner and Paper-setter till date, for the Kathak Examinations upto Alankar level conducted by the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal.

Acted as a Stage Artiste playing various roles at an Amateur and on Professional level winning a Silver Medal therein. Participated in several varied programmes on the Doordarshan. Nominated as a Judge in a number of Dance/Drama competitions. Conducted a number of Dance shows in and outside Maharashtra, in foreign countries such as ReUnion, Bangkok, USA, Australia, Dubai etc. She has performed in many Dance shows with her Guru Padmashri Nataraj Gopikrishna in Nagpur, Delhi etc. and also given many Solo performances.

She has completed her Ph.D. in Kathak (Kathak Maine Kavita Chand) under the able guidance of Guru Padmashri Dr.Puru Dadhich & Dr. Vibha Dadhich in the year 2006 Under the able guidance of Dr.Manjiri Deo many dancers have completed Sangeetacharya from ABGMVM Many students have completed their Ph D from various universities under her able guidance.

I am neither an exceptionally genius person nor have I, thus far written any book that has been published. In spite of this I have a strong urge, a deep intuition from within to write a book on Kathak dance. The reason behind this is the non-existence of Marathi books on the subject of dance. In fact, literature in Marathi on the subject of dance is a grave necessity. My journey in dance began the day my Mother (Late Indumati Gopal Marathe Kolhapur), holding my finger, took me to the dance class in the 8th year of my age. The dance training that started at that point is still on, to this date, uninterrupted for the past 34 years. During this journey as a student of Kathak, as a teacher of Kathak and as an examiner of Kathak, I sensed a severe shortage of literature on dance, more so in Marathi. The availability of books in Marathi language is almost nil, a lacuna which I very much regret. This regret even deepened when I faced the shortage of books, especially in Marathi language, while I was teaching the theory part of Kathak dance to my students, and also while examining the papers of students who appeared for examinations conducted by the Akhil Bharatiya Gaandharva Mahavidyalay. This circumstance urged me to make a resolve to write a book that could guide the students learning the dance. With the intention of spreading the fragrance of the art of dance, I decided to write a book, in my own capacity, to the best of my knowledge and share it with the yet struggling students, for their benefit. In the name of Lord Shree Sainath, with his message of 'Faith and Patience', made a resolve at his feet, and commenced the writing of this book. On the auspicious day of 'Angarki Sankashti', the 4th day after the Full moon day that falls on a Tuesday, when Lord Ganesh is worshipped i.e. on 17/02/1987, made a beginning in writing the book. Discharging my day-to-day chores, the writing of the book moved at a snail's pace. I was not able to gather the required momentum. My student Ku. Sangeeta Bomble agreed to do the job of a writer, with which the book-writing gained pace. Especially in the 'Practical section' she helped me a lot in writing the script of Tode, Tukade etc. For writing up the book, had to take references from various books and articles pertaining to the subject. In this regard, the staff and the working committee officials of the 'Marathi Granth Sangrahalay' always lent a helping hand. Shri Vishwanath Shendye, father of my student Ku. Leena Shendye helped me by providing the required books.

**Contents and Sample Pages**