New Delhi, 5th February 2025: The much-anticipated third edition of Dastaan-e-Kathak: The Story of a Storyteller unfolded at the historic Travancore Palace, leaving audiences spellbound with its theme, The Dance of Silence. This year’s festival explored the profound interplay between sound and silence through Indian classical arts, presenting a truly transformative experience.
Founded in tribute to the legendary Pt. Birju Maharaj, Dastaan-e-Kathak continues to honor his legacy by redefining how classical storytelling is experienced. From its inception in 2023, the festival has grown into a prominent cultural event, acclaimed for seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary interpretations.
The regal Travancore Palace provided the perfect setting for an evening of mesmerizing performances. This year’s theme, The Dance of Silence, emphasized that silence is not merely the absence of sound but a powerful medium of expression. The carefully curated lineup featured some of India’s finest classical and contemporary artists who embodied this concept through their performances. Enthralling Kathak renditions by Ravi Yadav, Aamrapali Bhandari, Gaurav Bhatti, and Shivani Varma captivated the audience, while the elegance of Bharatanatyam was brought to life by Pritam Das and Vinay Tiwari. The festival also showcased contemporary dance and visual art installations from Marie Baker Lee and Great Banyan Art Gallery, adding a unique dimension to the storytelling experience.
The evening was further enriched by soul-stirring music, with the hypnotic strains of the Esraj by Arshad Khan and the rhythmic percussion of Sina Fakhroddin Ghafari creating an immersive atmosphere. While not a dedicated sound meditation session, the music resonated deeply, allowing the audience to interpret its meditative and contemplative quality. The festival also featured INYEON, a poetic narrative on interconnectedness and self-discovery, curated by Shivani Varma and conceptualised by designer Urvashi Kaur, seamlessly weaving fashion and storytelling into the theme. Renowned filmmaker Innee Singh and lighting designer Gyan Dev contributed to the visual storytelling, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
The festival’s visual storytelling was crafted by The Brewhouse, infusing a contemporary aesthetic into this classical art celebration. The film segments were beautifully captured by Aman Kakkar and Innee Singh. The event was proudly supported by Nuvama Private, Mr. Sanjeev Bigchandani, Mr. Manish Saksena of Aadyam Handwoven, whose contributions helped elevate the festival’s impact.
Since its inception, Dastaan-e-Kathak has been a beacon of cultural excellence. The inaugural 2023 edition featured luminaries like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Sajan Mishra, and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, attracting over 1,000 attendees, including UNESCO representatives and cultural ambassadors. In 2024, the festival embraced a digital-first format, revolutionizing accessibility with short performances on Instagram and YouTube, engaging a global audience.
Curated by Shivani Varma, a distinguished Kathak dancer and disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj and Guru Shovana Narayan, Dastaan-e-Kathak remains committed to preserving and evolving India’s classical arts. Ms. Varma, a member of Sahitya Kala Parishad and an ICCR-empaneled artist, has performed at prestigious events alongside maestros like A.R. Rahman.
Shivani Varma said “Every time I dance, it is a tribute to my Gurus. I wish to share what I learnt from him not only in dance but also what his philosophy of living was. Deeply impacted by the life and now sadly his passing, I wish to do something in his memory that is meaningful and brings about an impact to the culture that he upheld and shared so generously with the world. The Kathak Day Trust has been created by me to strive to preserve these lessons and further the cause of the Indian cultural heritage he espoused”.
Her deep commitment to cultural preservation extends beyond the festival. She founded the Kathak Day Trust, dedicated to upholding the artistic and philosophical teachings of Pt. Birju Maharaj. Over the years, Dastaan-e-Kathak has garnered support from prestigious organizations such as the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO India, Aditya Birla Group, The Claridges Hotel, and Good Earth Foundation, ensuring its continued growth and impact.
With its 2025 edition, Dastaan-e-Kathak reaffirms its role as a catalyst for cultural dialogue, inspiring new generations to engage with the richness of Indian classical arts.
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