PRATYĀGAMAN, THE HOMECOMING

“Dance is the rhythm and joy of my life! When on stage, I feel its magic in my feet and bliss in my soul! Dedicated to a lifetime of passion, hardwork and creativity to Kathak with more than 25 years of performance and 20 years of teaching, I strive to bring grace, strength and confidence to students of all ages,” says renowned Kathak artist and Guru Pallavi Degwekar who is back to India after a long elapse of 11 years.

Pallavi Degwekar is the Founder-Artistic Director of Nrityavali Gurukul, aka Pallavi Kathak, striving forward for promoting and preserving the rich heritage of Indian Classical music and dance.

“When a fledgling first flutters its wings, the parents smile. It is a smile that speaks so many emotions – fears, blessings, excitement are all etched in that little curve,” says Pallavi Degwekar.

“The pride of my artistic being, Nrityavali Gurukul, is the most important milestone in the journey of my vision as a Kathak dancer and Guru. Also I am an individual member of the International Dance Council CID (Conseil International de la Danse) which is an official partner of UNESCO,” renowned Kathak dancer Pallavi Degwekar explains in her association with the International artistic arena.

Now Pallavi is back in India. Her journey in this past decade has touched several milestones. A dedicated artist with love, passion and hardwork that had been honed and chiseled by renowned Kathak guru, Asha-tai Joglekar from a young age and abilities further polished by Pandit Birju Maharaj and Talyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. She has performed several diverse prestigious platforms including Consulate General of India, NY – June 2022; Guest performance at the Distinguished Indologist Award Conferment Ceremony; Sangeet Nrityanjali, NJ – May 2022; New York Kathak Festival Pop-Up Concert, NY – December 2021; New York Kathak Festival – 2019 and 2020; Artists United Live Music Festival – Facebook live performance; The 13th and 14th Performing Arts Educators Invitational –Ensemble performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, New York; RAW Brooklyn Bazaar, Brooklyn, NY; Natya Festival, North Carolina; Mudra dance festival, Philadelphia, PA; Om Kriya Yog’s live show on TV Asia on World Hindu Day; MET Museum, New York, NY for Asian Women in Business; 35th India Day Parade at Madison Square, New York, NY.

Artist Pallavi Degwekar has received enumerable awards including a Certificate of Commitment, 2021 – The World Book of Records, London validated her commitment for promoting safety during the Covid-19 pandemic; Best Teacher Award, 2021 – Natraj Music and Dance Academy; Nakshatra Samman, 2021; Abdul Kalam Bharat Puraskar, 2021 – Award in the art category; 3iii (International Indian Idol) – International jury member in the dance category in 2019 and 2021; Individual Artist Fellowship, 2020 – Awarded by the NJ State Council on the Arts; Akhil Bharatiya Pratibha Puraskar, 2020-21 – The only female and dance artist to receive the award that year and many more.

From senior kathak teacher at Archana Nrityalaya, Mumbai to Vice Principal at the New Jersey, USA; director at Nrityanjali Arts New Jersey to Founder-Director of Pallavi Kathak, New Jersey, USA and The Mahadeo Degwekar Foundation, a US-based non-profit for serving the arts and its artists, Pallavi Degwekar is a true ambassador of Kathak guiding the young talented artists and promoting our rich culture and heritage on a global platform.