At the historic Travancore Palace, the eagerly awaited third edition of Dastan-e-Kathak: The Story of a Storyteller debuted, captivating audiences with its subject, The Dance of Silence. This year’s festival offered a genuinely life-changing experience as it examined the intricate relationship between music and silence through Indian traditional arts.
Dataan-e-Kathak was established as a tribute to the renowned Pt. Birju Maharaj and upholds his heritage by reinventing the way that classical storytelling is enjoyed. Since its launch in 2023, the festival has developed into a well-known cultural occasion that is praised for skillfully fusing heritage with modern interpretations.
An evening of captivating performances took place in the magnificent Travancore Palace. The Dance of Silence, this year’s theme, highlighted that silence is a potent form of expression rather than just the absence of music. Some of India’s best classical and contemporary performers were part of the well-curated roster, and their performances perfectly captured this idea. The audience was enthralled by the captivating Kathak performances of Ravi Yadav, Aamrapali Bhandari, Gaurav Bhatti, and Shivani Varma, while Pratim Das and Vinay Tiwari brought the beauty of Bharatanatyam to life. In addition, the festival featured visual art installations and contemporary dance by Marie Baker Lee and Great Banyan Art Gallery, which gave the narrative experience a distinctive twist.
Soul-stirring music further enhanced the evening, with Arshad Khan’s mesmerizing Esraj strains and Sina Fakhroddin Ghafari’s rhythmic percussion fostering an engrossing mood. The audience was able to perceive the music’s meditative and contemplative quality since it resonated strongly, even though it wasn’t a designated sound meditation session. Fashion and storytelling were effortlessly woven into the festival’s theme with INYEON, a poetic narrative about interconnection and self-discovery that was conceptualized by designer Urvashi Kaur and curated by Shivani Varma. The immersive experience was improved by the contributions of renowned filmmaker Innee Singh and lighting designer Gyan Dev, who helped with the visual storytelling.
The festival’s visual storytelling was crafted by The Brewhouse, infusing a contemporary aesthetic into this classical art celebration. The film segments were beautifully captured by Aman Kakkar and Innee Singh. The event was proudly supported by Nuvama Private, Mr. Sanjeev Bigchandani, Mr. Manish Saksena of Aadyam Handwoven, whose contributions helped elevate the festival’s impact.
Since its inception, Dastaan-e-Kathak has been a beacon of cultural excellence. The inaugural 2023 edition featured luminaries like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Sajan Mishra, and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, attracting over 1,000 attendees, including UNESCO representatives and cultural ambassadors. In 2024, the festival embraced a digital-first format, revolutionizing accessibility with short performances on Instagram and YouTube, engaging a global audience.
Curated by Shivani Varma, a distinguished Kathak dancer and disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj and Guru Shovana Narayan, Dastaan-e-Kathak remains committed to preserving and evolving India’s classical arts. Ms. Varma, a member of Sahitya Kala Parishad and an ICCR-empaneled artist, has performed at prestigious events alongside maestros like A.R. Rahman.
Shivani Varma said “Every time I dance, it is a tribute to my Gurus. I wish to share what I learnt from him not only in dance but also what his philosophy of living was. Deeply impacted by the life and now sadly his passing, I wish to do something in his memory that is meaningful and brings about an impact to the culture that he upheld and shared so generously with the world. The Kathak Day Trust has been created by me to strive to preserve these lessons and further the cause of the Indian cultural heritage he espoused”.
Her deep commitment to cultural preservation extends beyond the festival. She founded the Kathak Day Trust, dedicated to upholding the artistic and philosophical teachings of Pt. Birju Maharaj. Over the years, Dastaan-e-Kathak has garnered support from prestigious organizations such as the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO India, Aditya Birla Group, The Claridges Hotel, and Good Earth Foundation, ensuring its continued growth and impact.
With its 2025 edition, Dastaan-e-Kathak reaffirms its role as a catalyst for cultural dialogue, inspiring new generations to engage with the richness of Indian classical arts.
