Prerana Deshpande

Kathak dancer, choreographer

Biography

Prerana Deshpande

Kathak dancer & Choreographer

"Was Ms. Deshpande the mistress of her dance or its servant? Both. At times you felt her surrendering to its impulse as she allowed her torso to sway gorgeously; at times you felt the brilliance of her control as she changed an already elaborate rhythm with her feet. The rhythmic complexity and the intricate physical coordination of her solo proved astonishing.” - Alastair Macaulay, Dance Critic, The New York Times in 2009.

Prerana Deshpande - Internationally acclaimed Kathak Dancer Acknowledged by connoisseurs as a solo dancer of repute and a creative choreographer of rare calibre, Prerana Deshpande is among the leading complete solo Kathak dancers of her generation. Internationally acclaimed as a creative dancer whose work reveals the perpetually expanding horizons of the traditional form, Prerana is regarded for her exquisite command over the fundamentals of Kathak - Rhythm, Grace, & Expression and for her creativity rooted in the tradition of this dance form. Greatly appreciated by all audiences for her expertise in Kathak, she is regularly invited to perform as a solo artist at all major venues and festivals in India and abroad.

Prerana believes Kathak as means for artistic expression. Her choreography presentations of various classical as well as theme-based subjects are applauded by classes and masses alike. Her evolving body of work of choreography and collaborative productions, which includes music of varied genre, highlights her keen awareness about musical aesthetics.

" I believe that in any art form, reflection of the artist's individuality and personality in their art, makes them a complete artist. Deep knowledge of the art under the guidance of a Guru, intense training and true passion are the only ways to achieve it." says Prerana.

Recipient of numerous awards, Prerana has been felicitated by legendary Pt. Birju Maharaj with 'Gaurav Puruskar'. Prerana has also been honoured with the title of 'Nrityashri' and was conferred the title of 'Singar Mani' by the Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai.

Videos Show all videos

Prerana Deshpande Kathak - Taal Teentaal

Prerana Deshpande - Kathak Shri Ram Vandana

Prerana Deshpande Kathak - Gat Bhav and Gat Nikas

Photos Show all photos

Prerana Deshpande

Career

Prerana Deshpande had the good fortune to have observed Rohiniji during the phase when most of her choreographies were created and perform as the lead dancer in almost all of them even as her career as solo dancer blossomed through invitations to perform in all major festivals in India.

Prerana encourages and promotes Kathak as a traditional, pure, solo art form. This she does through numerous workshops, seminars and lecture demonstrations where she is often invited in India and abroad.

Prerana shares her knowledge and experiences as a Kathak dancer as a Guru at Centre of Performing Arts at Pune University and through her own institute - NRITYADHAM.

*Major recent performances of Prerana Deshpande in India and abroad -

Prerana Deshpande performs regularly in major festivals in India and out of India as a soloist. She leads her own NRITYADHAM troup which presents her chorographical compositions. Some of her major recent performances are given below:

*Events

Kalidas Samaroh (Nagpur - December 18, 2007):

This festival is one of the premier cultural festivals of the country organized by the Mahrashtra Tourism Development Corporation and a key feature in the Indian cultural calendar

Ellora Festival (Aurangabad - November 25, 2007):

This is one of the most prestigious dance festivals of India and a key feature in the Indian cultural calendar

Saptak (Bhopal - October 28, 2007):

Organized by the World Famous Bharat Bhawan, in the Saptak festival, Prerana presented 'Ajanta Comes Alive' - her tribute to the great masters of yore who created the WOrld heritage site of the Ajanta & Ellora caves

Bhavanubhav Kathak Samaroh - Bhopal (January 2012):

Organised by the most prestigious Bharat Bhavan Centre in Bhopal

New York (2009):

Solo performance at Erasing Borders festival as a tribute to Guru Rohini Bhate (2009) at Times Square, New York. Organised by Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), it was highly appreciated and also received a wondrous review by renowned dance critic Alastair Macaulay. Following this was a discussion Seminar regarding Mathematics in Kathak where Prerana was at the panel along with Dr. Sunil Kothari, Pt Sameer Chatterjee, Mr. Jonathan and Shri Balaskandan. Prerana then interacted with Dr. Sunil Kothari regarding her Guru's contribution to Kathak

New York (2010):

Discussion regarding the Mathematics in Kathak for a second time, organised by IAAC. Lecture and Seminar at IAAC about 'Abhinaya' following a 'baithak' performance which was widely acclaimed by all the western and Indian dancers present there. This was followed by an impromptu jugalbandi with senior Kathak dancer from New Jersey, Rachna Sarang, which also received great appreciation.

Concert tour of Greece - 2007:

The tour was organized by the Department of Culture of Government of Greece and Department of Tourism and included concerts, lecture demonstrations and workshops. Classical and folk dancers in Europe eagerly participated in the lecture demonstrations and the following workshops.

*Solo Performances of Prerana Deshpande

R K Swamy Auditorium, Chennai (April 2013)

Anaahat Inauguration ceremony, organised by WMF, Pune (November, 2012)

Tilak Smarak Mandir, organised by Gaanvardhan, Pune (September 2012)

Barsha Festival, Bhubaneshwar (August 2012)

Vividh Samaroh, organised by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune (November,2011)

BITS University, Goa (2011)

Symbiosis Vishwabhavan Auditorium, organised by ICCR, Pune (2011)

Tribute to Guru Rohini Bhate, organised by Naadroop, Belgaon (2010)

Sangeet Samaroh, Shaheed Smarak Auditorium, Jabalpur (April 2010)

International conference (NIA,Pune - 2008)

Sangeet Samaroh, Bharat Bhavan, a tribute to the late Pt. S. B. Deshpande, Bhopal (March 2007)

Sangeetotsav, Pune (June, 2005)

The NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai)

Organised by Sharda Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai (2001)

India International Centre, New Delhi (2000)

Organised by Kirti Kala Mandir, Nasik (2000)

Kathak Mahotsav (Lucknow)

Jaipur Gharana Festival (Jaipur)

Pune Festival (Pune)

Sharatchandrika Festival (New Delhi)

Katani ('94)

Pallavotsav Festival (Mysore)

Uttaradhikaar Festival (Bhopal)

Kalika Binda Festival, organised by Kathak Kendra, dedicated to Guru Rohini Bhate (New Delhi)

The India International Center (New Delhi)

*Lecture Demonstrations and Workshops

-New York, USA - Workshops, Lec-Dems and Seminars between 2008 to 2010. (New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Kansas City, Cleveland, etc)

-Recently in Chennai - Very Successful and highly appreciated workshop in April, 2013.

-Every year in Pune.

*Teaching Experience

Ten years and continuing at Nrityadham in Pune

At Sharada Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai for two years

As ’Guru’ of Kathak at Center of Performing Arts (C.P.A.) at Pune University.

Awards & Achievements

Prerana Deshpande believes it to be divine blessing that the great maestro, Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate accepted her as a disciple and thought fit to impart one-to-one teaching of Kathak. Prerana is a first student of Rohiniji who passed Master of Arts (M.A.) form University of Poona and stood first in the Dance. She was awarded National Scholarship by Government of India for two years for special training under Guru Rohiniji.

She has I.C.C.R. empanelled artist both as a Guru of Kathak overseas and as a performer.

She has invited to read a paper on "Innovative approaches in Performing Arts (Choreography)" at India International Center (I.I.C.), New Delhi through 'India International Rural Cultural Center'