DHĀRA: an evening of kathak dance choreographies

Barkha Dance Company welcomes you to Dhāra, their first in-person company and student showcase on May 18th at 3PM & 7PM at Dixon Place!

Dhāra, in Sanskrit, means continuous flow, earth, or preservation. The passing down of traditions in Indian dance practices such as kathak evokes this sentiment. Knowledge flows from teacher to student, shaping and reshaping each in the process, and indeed art form itself. This newness and feeling of discovery that comes with sharing knowledge is what keeps the tradition of dance alive. 

Living in the diaspora, this feels especially relevant. Practicing a dance tradition away from its land of origin requires more nuance and care in how Barkha Dance Company leads their students. 

Like Rachna Sarang, before me, they too see their work of dance knowledge transmission as seva – a service to both the form and the student. They seek, to the best of their ability, to create environments for learning and practice that are often only accessible in India. As this guru once did for them, they are now the bridge between students and dancers and the lessons passed down from kathak masters of a post-colonized India. 

Each solo or ensemble choreographed piece showcasing on May 18th reflects not only the efforts to practice artistic finesse but also the integrity of the Barkha Dance Co. community as a whole to stay tethered to culture, form, and tradition. 

The community of kathak practitioners looks forward to welcoming you very soon!