style

Kathak is one of the classical dance styles of India. It is a characterized by fast footwork (tatkar), spins (chakkar) and expression (abhinaya). Kathak has a long history having been influenced first by the narratives by kathakas or ancient bards, and subsequently by temple dances, the bhakti movement, and then by the Mughal and later courts from the 16th century onwards.

Mahua Shankar has had the good fortune of having trained under some of the great masters of today. And with her own discipline and hard work, she has become one of the sought-after Kathak exponents of today. She has achieved the technical mastery of pure dance, and her effortless on-stage dialogue with the musicians accompanying her is a pleasure to watch.  However, in her dance, along with her nimble sense of rhythm and movement, the sensuous and emotive elements of storytelling are very much there too. 

Owing to both her talent and commitment, she has performed with Pandit Birju Maharaj in his major productions in many prestigious festivals, and has travelled extensively in India and abroad. She has to her credit dance sequences choreographed by Panditji in two major films 'Gaddar' and 'Devdas', apart from important national television appearances.

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