Gauri Diwakar

About Us

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.

Achievements

Awarded Scholarship from Kathak Kendra (1996-2001)
 
Awarded "Shringar Mani" from Kala ke Kalakar, Mumbai- 2002
 
Awarded Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar-2008
 
ARTIST NOTE
 
I consider Dance as the most beautiful and expressive art form. For me, it is a form of devotion that fulfills my life. Infect, I consider dance as my very life, the reason for my existence.
 
I have not had the good fortune to have inherited dance, but I have had the good fortune to find this art form so inspirational that I could take to it very naturally. At a very early age, I realized that I had the “laya” in me, but it needed to be given a certain discipline and direction. And my first Guru Smt. Sumita Chowdhary nurtured me and put me on the path of Kathak.
 
After having moved to Delhi , I continued my training under the guidance of Pandit Birju Maharaj and thereafter, his son Pandit Jaikishan Maharaj. Under the creative expertise of Pandit Birju Maharaj, I felt my dance flourish and mature, I felt that my dance took on the form that not just suited my body form but enhanced my personality.
 
And it was Pandit Jaikishan Maharaj who then polished this form and brought me to a certain point of recognition in this field.
 
I have had the able guidance of Ms. Aditi Mangaldas who with her technical and expressive nuances has embellished my dance. Today I can say that it is because of my long association with her that has helped me broaden my mind, has helped me contemporize my attitude and approach to dance. And I feel that it is very important to evolve as a dancer so that one can keep this dance form alive by making it relevant in today's world.

Contact Us

Pocket-I, 91 A
Dilshad Garden
Delhi -110095
Mobile No: 9968284677, 9811417671
Email : gaurikathak@gmail.com
Gauri Diwakar