Dance like a man

Helmed by popular danseuse Aparna Mishra, an all-male troupe is all set to perform Kathak at the NCPA

The pre-monsoon showers don’t seem to have deterred this group of eight students as they keep their appointment with their kathak master at 7 am on a Saturday. The students sync their moves to the beats of the tabla as kathak danseuse Aparna Mishra keenly observes their tatkars (footwork), bhaav (expression) rhythm. The group — a mix of college students and seasoned professionals — has assembled at Aparna’s Sewri residence. With just a week to go, they are neck-deep into rehearsals for Kathak for Him — an all-male troupe performance that will be presented at the NCPA next Sunday.

Aparna, who has been teaching kathak for 16 years, has taken it upon herself to do away with the gender bias that comes with the dance form. “Why does a dance form have to be designated to a gender For that matter, why is even blushing only associated with women ” she asks. The workshop will include a 90-minute performance. Aparna has choreographed a piece using mathematical elements like the Fibonacci Series and the Golden Ratio to make it easier for men to follow the beat. Aparna will also present a performance to highlight the polarising sides of nature. She says, “There are two sides to nature. For instance, Mother Nature can be the nurturer and the destroyer. I want to show that emotions are universal and do not belong to either gender.” Then, there is a second performance based on the Hanuman tandav, with a social message. One would assume that teaching her male students the mudras, tatkars and posture may seem like a challenge. But she says that it was her own expectations as a mentor that proved to be an issue. She says, “Getting the men to dance wasn’t a problem at all. My expectation with myself was a challenge — I was worried if could deliver as a mentor.”

Originally performed by men, kathak gharanas trace their lineage to Jaipur, Lucknow and Benaras. As men essayed Radha or Sita for performances, it became difficult for a man to perform feminine roles without being criticised. She says, “The performers were still seen as their feminine avatars even after they played their part. This myth seems to have stayed.” Aparna is doing her bit to promote the dance form. The danseuse is hoping to visit corporate offices in the city for workshops. She says, “Kathak needs to be made relevant today. Kathak needs to be projected as a modern fitness regime. Furthermore, I want people to use this as a medium for visual story telling.”

Kathak for Him, On June 19, 7.30 pm onwards PM at Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point