The 23-year-old dance tradition

As a tribute to her Guru Pandit Durgalal, Kathak exponent and founder of Sam Ved Society for Performing Arts, Uma Dogra has been organising the Pt Durgalal Festival, au00a0celebration of Indian Classical Dance, for 22 years now.

Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra. Pic/Atul Kamble

The current edition is set to feature noted Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan and Odissi dancer Suajata Mohapatra. "This year, I wanted to take the festival outside the city too, hence we had a performance in Bhopal. As for the highlights, one can look for to the duet between the two dancers, combining Odissi and Bharatanatyam," says Dogra. Pandit Durgalalji, who belonged to the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, had been training Dogra since she was a 13-year-old schoolgirl. The annual festival has featured the likes of Pt Chitresh Das, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pandit Jasraj. However, Dogra will not be taking to the stage this year, "I performed in the city with Anup Jalota earlier this month, and I have another performance slotted for February 23. I think as per a dancer's ethics, I would not want to repeat myself and shall concentrate on just the number of performances I have for the same audience," she reasons.

On February 13, 6.45 pm, AT Nehru Centre Auditorium, Worli. ENTRY Passes available at the venue

Kanth-Swar Utsav
PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy will be hosting a three-day vocal music festival, titled Kanth-Swar Utsav. Conceptualised by the group Pancham Nishad, the Utsav will begin with a recital by Suchismita Das followed by a recital by Prasad Khaparde, a senior disciple of Ustad Rashid Khan of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana. Other artistes who will be a part of the festival include Shashwati Mandal, Ramakant Gaikwad, Sayali Talwalkar and Sanjeev Chimmalgi.

From February 12 to 14, everyday 6.30 pm

At Mini theatre, third floor, PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi.

Call 24312956 / 24124750