Gauri Diwakar’s elegant, graceful moves, striking facial expressions, along with her powerful presence on the stage, leaves her audiences spellbound. A Kathak dancer par excellence, Gauri has been recipient of many prestigious awards. In 2008 she was awarded 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' by the Sangeet Natak Akademi- India’s national academy for music , dance and drama. Other prestigious awards include Jaydev Pratibha Puraskar” ( 2015) and Sringar Mani award (2002)

 

A versatile, energetic performer, Gauri has created a niche for herself and is a regular across several national and international dance festivals. To name a few her recent production Hari Ho....Gati Meri ( Let my Salvation be in You ) premiered in India and has travelled across the world. After premiering in Delhi it was showcased in Edinburgh Fringe Festival followed by performances in National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai and Pune. This solo production got rave reviews and won her many accolades. Likewise Mugdha- Celebration of Womanhood a group choreography by Gauri has travelled widely and acclaimed by critiques. Her contribution as a Kathak Expert in theatrical adaptation of Mughal-E-Azam is being widely appreciated.

 

Prestigious Serendipity Art Festival has commissioned Gauri for it’s 2017 festival . At Serendipity Gauri will be premiering her new production , Dancing Emptiness.

 

Gauri’s work is extensively covered in Indian and international media. She is one the most keenly observed and reported new-generation Kathak dancer. Recently her life and work was reviewed in OPEN MAGAZINE. (http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/dance/gauri-diwakar-everything-is-possible-in-kathak).

 

An 'A' Grade artist with the national broadcaster Doordarshan, she is credited with a number of noted solo performances. She is also an empanelled artist with Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

 

Her journey started from Jamshedpur where she learned under the watchful eyes of Ms Sumita Chowdhary. She further honed her skills under the tutelage of the renowned Gurus, Pandit Birju Maharaj and Shri Jai Kishan Maharaj at the national capital's Kathak Kendra. After graduating with distinction from Kathak Kendra, Gauri further perfected her skills under renowned exponent of Kathak, Ms Aditi Mangaldas.

 

Gauri has received Sangeet Praveen from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad.

 

Gauri is also passing on her skills by training young students under her own trust 'Gauri Diwakar Sanskriti Foundation- Sarvatra Nrityam' and thus helping to keep the age-old tradition alive.