Prerana Deshpande is a recognized Indian exponent of Kathak dance.[1]

Prerana Deshpande
Prerana Deshpande in a concert on 1 September 2016, at Mahaveer School Auditorium, Jaipur.
Prerana Deshpande in a concert on 1 September 2016, at Mahaveer School Auditorium, Jaipur.
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndian
EducationIndian classical dance, Mathematics
Alma materPune University
Occupation(s)Classical Dancer, choreographer, researcher
OrganizationNrityadham
StyleKathak
AwardsDevadasi National Award
(see all)

She started to study Kathak under Sharadini Gole when she was seven years old. Her first performance was when she was fifteen years old.[2] Then she studied Kathak under Guru-Shishya Parampara tradition from Rohini Bhate,[2] of Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas for twenty two years.[3] She is known for her graceful movements, and for mastery over various aspects of Kathak, such as abhinaya (expression)[4] and command over the laya (rhythm).[5]

Prerana Deshpande received her formal education at the Centre of Performing Arts of Pune University (Lalit Kala Kendra), India. She completed her master's degree in Kathak and stood first in the university. She also completed a bachelor's degree in Mathematics,[2] and applies this formal mathematical knowledge to her dance.[6]

In dedication to her art, Deshpande established Nrityadham, an institute for Kathak dance in Pune, where she teaches students from India and abroad,[7][8] and has a stable group of advanced performers who participate in shows and festivals.[9]

Family

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Prerana is married with the prominent tabla soloist Shri Supreet Deshpande.[10][11] They have an only daughter, Ishwari Deshpande, who is also one of her advanced students in Nrityadham. Ishwari started to dance when she was three years old, around 1999,[10] and she has stood out as a kathak dancer at least since her twelve years old.[12]

Creative collaboration

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Creative collaboration named 'Mharo Pranam' on the life and lyrics of Meera Bai, conceptualized by Pt. Hemant Pendse with Kathak choreography by Prerana Deshpande.[13][8]

In 2007, Prerana Deshpande collaborated with famous Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra in a Kathak - Odissi collaboration inspired by the World Heritage Site of Ajanta & Ellora. The production titled Ajanta Comes Alive - Tribute to Ajanta & Ellora premiered in the cultural capital of Maharastra, Pune, on 18 February 2007. Presented by dance scholar Sunil Kothari, this collaboration was subsequently staged in various cities of the country.[14][15]

In 2010, Prerana and Sujata continued performing together.[16] In 2018, Prerana premiered Space: Taal-mala, a long piece performed by the interpreters of Nrityadham, based on the rhythmic work of the dancer Pt. Mohanrao Kallianpurkar. For that premiere Ratikant Mohapatra was invited with his Odissi company.[17]

Awards

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  • 2016: Devadasi National Award[18]
  • Gaurav Puruskar at the hands of Pt. Birju Maharaj[19]
  • Singar Mani title, by the Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai[20][21]
  • 1994: Nrityashri title, by Kiran, Katani[20][21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kulkarni, Pranav (24 April 2010). "Step by Step". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Grover, Heena (26 February 2016). "They have danced their way to glory". The Golden Sparrow. Retrieved 25 November 2016.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Sreeram, Lakshmi (19 July 2018). "Kathak's conundrum: Amid appreciation for outward dazzle, is genuine artistry in danger of being overlooked?". Firstpost. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  4. ^ Macaulay, Alastair (21 August 2009). "Just Try to Pass by Without Being Stunned". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  5. ^ Dr. Kothari, Sunil (10 September 2009). "New York Diary: Erasing Borders Dance Festival". Narthaki. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  6. ^ "The Mathematics of Rhythm". Asia Society. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Nrityadham". Prerana Deshpande. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  8. ^ a b Chaudhuri, Nupur (19 August 2010). "Lessons in faith". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Shaniwarwada Dance & Music Festival enters in its 16th year". Punekarnews. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Ishwari Deshpande". Happiness Inc. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Supreet Deshpande". Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Dancers win national kathak awards". The Times of India. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  13. ^ "Mharo Pranam - Concept". Mharo Pranam. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Indian classical music and dance is being increased globally accepted package that believes in fusion". Pune Newsline. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  15. ^ "News at Lokmat". Lokmat. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  16. ^ Srikanth, Rupa (29 January 2010). "Statuesque postures". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  17. ^ "An evening dedicated to Kathak and Odissi with the dancers of Nrityadhaam Pune". Times of India. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  18. ^ "Prerana Deshpande gets Devadasi National Award". The Indian Express. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Prerana Deshpande Kathak Dancer Profile". ThiRaseela. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Prerana Deshpande". Prerana Deshpande. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  21. ^ a b "ICMC: India Dance Festival" (PDF). FunAsia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
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