Pandita Uma Dogra

Kathak dancer, choreographer

Biography

Awarded the ‘Sangeet Kala Ratna’ and honoured as Pandita, Uma Dogra is the senior most Ganda Bandh Shagird of Late Guru and world renowned Kathak maestro - Pt. Durga Lalji of the Jaipur Gharana. One of the leading exponents of Kathak dance.

Uma Dogra has been enthralling the audiences all over India and abroad for more than three decades now. Uma´s work expresses the subtle distinction between the literal translation of the lyrics and mature, evolved transmutation of music into movements. Uma´s dance is very traditional and classical but at the very same time a language of strong self expression. For her 38 years contribution in the field of Dance, Uma Dogra has been conferred with ‘Maharashtra Sanskriti State Puraskar’ from the Govt. of Maharashtra (2009-2010).

Uma Dogra performed various dance pieces, her portrayal of Hori ‘Na Maro Shyam Pichkari’ enthralled the audience and left them spell bound. Born in a distinguished family with a rich cultural heritage, Uma was initiated into the field of art of Kathak when she was barely seven years old. She had her early training in Lucknow school of Kathak under Smt. Reba Vidyarathi at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. Her quest of enriching her art with the technique of the Jaipur School led her to the leading light of Jaipur Gharana Pt. Durga Lalji.

The vigorous training under the exacting eye of her celebrated Guru molded her into an artist of rare individuality and exquisite taste. Through the very nature of her training, Uma combines in her art the delicacies and daintiness of the Lucknow as well as the vigor of alacrity of Jaipur Gharanas. Having imbibed from her Gurus the best of both traditions she has successfully enriched it with the stamp of her own personality- thus creating a style that is authentic and distinctly her own.

One of the leading exponents of Kathak dance herself, Uma Dogra has been enthralling the audiences all over India and abroad for more than three decades now. Uma Dogra´s perception of dance has also been enriched by her study of vocal under her father Pt. Motiram Sharma who was a Sitar player, has helped her explore the ideal of Dance as visual music.

Uma´s work expresses the subtle distinction between the literal translation of the lyrics and mature, evolved transmutation of music into movements. Uma´s dance is very traditional and classical but at the very same time a language of strong self expression.

Now settled in Mumbai, Uma is the foremost Kathak soloist, choreographer and teacher. Her commitment to the arts has seen her establish Samved Society For Performing Arts in 1990, in the memory of her Late Guru Pt. Durga Lalji.

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Pta. Uma Dogra performs at Samved's Rajat Jayanti Mahotsav, 25th Pt. Durgalal Festival in Jan 2015

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Uma Dogra performing Kathak dance.

Pandita Uma Dogra

Uma Dogra with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Radha Krishna Chedchad by Uma Dogra.

Receiving Maharashtra-award

Uma Dogra Kathak exponent.

Uma Dogra.

Career

Pta Uma Dogra has performed in major festivals in India and abroad. In the last three years, Uma Dogra has been invited to perform at the following prominent festivals in India.

1. Khajuraho Dance Festival – Madhya Pradesh

2. Ustad Alluuddin Khan Sangeet Nritya Utsav – Betul

3. Pt. Motiram Sangeet Samaroh – Hydrabad

4. Pt. Gopikrishna Festival- Nashik

5. Pt. Kumar Gandharva Samaroh – Devas

6. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Function – Orissa

7. Konark Festival – Orissa

8. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – Mumbai

9. Vetva Festival – Madhya Pradesh

10. Golden Jubilee Haridas Sammelan – Mumbai

11. Baba Allaudin Khan Sangeet Mahotsav – Maihar, MP

12. Sangeet Natak Akademi – Manipur

13. Guru Purnima Mahotsav – Mumbai

14. Times of India Festival – Ahmedabad

15. Bharat Bhawan 25 years Celebration – Bhopal, MP

16. Kathak Mahotsav of, Kathak Kendra – Mumbai

17. Ekjute Theatre Group’s Silver Jubilee Celebration – Mumbai

18 Times of India Festival – New Delhi

19. Jaipur Kathak Kendra Kathak Festival – jaipur

20. Bandra Festival – Mumbai

21. Ekakaar Ensemble of Odissi and Kathak – Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan – Mumbai

22. Nehru Centre’s Festival of Dance – Mumbai

23. Vasatotsava for Kalashram – New Delhi

24. Naitanjali Chidambaram Festival – Chennai

25. Performed with British Music composer Karl Jenkins Asia’s Premier show for NCPA’s Symphony Orchestra Mumbai

26. Brahan Natyanjali Festival Thanjavur Temple – Chenna

27. ‘Bansuri’ dance prouction for Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan

28. Workshop and performance nritya niketan- coimbtore

Here are some of Uma Dogra's performances abroad :

1. Performed and conduced a two-day workshop for University of Florida, Gainesville.

2. Performed in London for Nehru Centre, Luton for Kadam Asian Dance & Music Ltd, Wolverhampton for Surdhwani and Sadler’s Wells Theatre in UK.

2007

1. Performed in Indian Council for Cultural Relations Festival of India held in Japan.

2. Performed and held workshops in different cities across USA.

2008

1. Performed for The Min-On Concert Association Japan across the country. 2008

2. A month-long tour of Australia covering cities like Melbourne and Sydney and New Castle.

3. Performed at University of Los Angeles and other cities of USA.

2009

1. Performed for Allarakha Foundation in London 2009.

2. Performed for Kala premi Organization in New Castle 2009.

She has been associated with the making of several films on Dance.

Nritya Bharti by Dr. Kanak Rele,

Kamayani by Films Division of India.

Classical Dances of India by Rizvi Foundation.

Nirvana Through Dance

Uma Dogra has made a film on her Guru Pt. Durga Lalji.

Programs

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Pandita Uma Dogra

Kathak dancer, choreographer

Uma Dogra performing Kathak dance.

Pandita Uma Dogra

Uma Dogra with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Radha Krishna Chedchad by Uma Dogra.

Receiving Maharashtra-award

Uma Dogra Kathak exponent.

Uma Dogra.

Uma Dogra.

Uma Dogra presents Kathak solo performance