Manjari Chaturvedi

Trained initially in the Lucknow gharana of kathak under the guidance of Arjun Mishra, Manjari also studied abhinaya under Kalanidhi Narayan. At Protima Bedi’s Nrityagram, Manjari gaine exposure to other dance forms. In the process, she has not only experimented with movement and abhinaya, but has also interacted actively with various forms of music from across the world.

Music, in fact, plays a significant role in her performances, as she attempts at building an interface with diverse forms like the music of Rajasthan, Kashmir, Awadh, Punjab, Turkmenistan, Iran and Krygistan. She is particularly drawn to Sufi mysticism and has endeavoured to incorporate movements in her performances that are reminiscent of the meditative practices of the whirling dervishes. She has therefore, chosen to name her dance style as Sufi Kathak, which she has presented through several stage performances in India and abroad and through the electronic media.