SIFAS: A Creation in Kathak by Rajendra Gangani.!

Pandit Rajendra Gangani is one of the most brilliant exponents of the Indian classical dance form Kathak today. Endowed with a magnetic stage presence and a complete command over his art form, Rajendra is a rare artist who gives his art new directions.  Pandit Rajendra Gangani comes from an artistically inclined family in Rajasthan, India.  Trained from a very young age by his father Guru Kundan Lal Gangani, an exponent of the Jaipur Gharana (style), Rajendra honed and polished his art with years of hard work and single-minded dedication, resulting in what he is today- a torch-bearer of Jaipur school of Kathak. Though best known as a soloist, he has choreographed a number of group productions as well. He has performed extensively in India and abroad at important festivals of arts.  A committed teacher of Kathak as well, he has been working at Kathak Kendra, Delhi, since 1983. He has made a significant contribution in grooming young dancers. 

Pandit  Rajendra Kumar Gangani has received several awards and accolades for his contribution to Kathak dance, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award being one of them. 

Rajendra’s talent lies in preserving the distinctive traditional style of the centuries-old dance form of Kathak, yet infusing it with fresh creative thinking and a contemporary approach of presentation. He is a master in maintaining the delicate balance between old and new, between structural purity and thematic innovations, thus stretching the boundaries of traditional Kathak without distorting it.

Rajendra’s multi-faceted talent comes out in his choreographies.  His sensitivity and creative thinking has made him experiment with themes as wide ranging as a concern for the environment; dealing with abstract elements such as hidden moods in rhythm and melody; creating works on themes of Indian mythology and folk legends. One of his most interesting works “Jhalak” which means glimpses has been inspired by the daily lives and activities of people of his home state, Rajasthan. A gifted musician, Rajendra not only composes the music of his choreographies himself, he is an accomplished player of various Indian musical instruments.