Kathak Aadi-Kathak
DOCUMENTARY | 111 MIN | 2024
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Kathak Aadi-Kathak is a feature-length documentary based on Guru Roshan Datye's research on the history of Kathak. It explores the relationship between dance poses found on ancient temple walls, to that of the dance poses performed in contemporary Kathak. The film was made for The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute through an Infosys Foundation fellowship grant. It was completed through crowd-funding and scholarships, and received special recognition from Smt. Sudha Murthy.
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Director & Writer : Rewa Rawat
Editor : Ajinkya Kulkarni
Cinematographer : Anish Phansalkar
Original Background Score : Amod Kulkarni (Magic Notes Studio)
Sound Design : Abhijeet Patwardhan (Swarsaad Studios)
Creative Consultant : Saumitra Yadnyopavit
Costume Design : Aadya Atre
Dances Light Design : Rohit Pathak
Illustrations : Madhumita Laddha
Trailer Edit : Kalyan Deep
Languages : Hindi, English, Marathi
"Dance is inherently an audio-visual medium and its stories are best told that way, so we decided to make a documentary on the research book by Guru Roshan Datye. This film has given us the opportunity to spread awareness about the rich culture and heritage of India."
"As we were researching dance in the temples and stupas of North India, we found out that so much about Indian culture has been misunderstood and as a result, rejected thinking it is orthodox. Hence, we wished to trace back the roots of our culture and of the dance form."
"Guru Roshan Datye (Bedarkar) is one of India’s distinguished Kathak exponents and has been working for ‘Kathak’ in different capacities for more than 40 years. She has been known for her Graceful Nritta and Sensitive Abhinaya."
"In 1978 Roshan came under the tutelage of Kathak Guru Rohini Bhate at Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy, Pune. For over three decades she has been rising to the needs of Nrityabharati to shoulder secretarial and administrative responsibilities besides performing Kathak."