Sanskriti, the School of Indian Performing Arts presented Utsav 2025, its annual Kathak showcase, on 6 December 2025, at Pennant Hills Community Centre in Sydney.
Led by Guru Sakshi Kumar, a trained Kathak exponent from Kathak Kendra under Pt. Jai Kishan Maharaj (son of Pt. Birju Maharaj), the event featured student performances across age groups, celebrating the grace, rhythm, and traditions of Kathak.
Held across Sydney locations like St. Ives, Hornsby, and Westmead, Sanskriti fosters Indian classical dance roots among the new generation, earning acclaim for its inclusive classes and professional commitment. Utsav 2025 reinforced the school’s role in Sydney’s vibrant performing arts scene, drawing families for a joyful celebration of tradition and skill.
Students from beginners to advanced levels displayed intricate footwork, expressive abhinaya, and tarana compositions, reflecting Sakshi Kumar’s patient, detailed teaching praised by parents for inspiring dancers.
The guest appearance by Vidushi Uma Dograji, 69-year-old veteran artist from India and Central Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee, elevated the evening with her mesmerizing Kathak. Vidushi Uma Dograji delivered the Shiv Stuthi with intricate footwork, and expressive abhinaya that captivated the audience. Her performance highlighted technical precision and emotional depth in the cosmic dance of Shiva. Her piece about Krishna’s flirtations with the gopis was a delight to watch
Uma Dograji conducted a Kathak workshop for children and adults on 7 December in Hornsby.
Guru Sakshi Kumar, presented a commanding solo, using the Drona-Ekalavya storyline complete with the forest scene, the rejection by Guru Drona, Ekalvaya’s self-practice with clay idol of his Guru, and Ekalavya’s ultimate sacrifice of this thumb as gurudakshina. A touching tribute to Ekalavya’s dedication to his guru and to guru-shishya tradition!
Popular Kathak-based pieces popularised in Bollywood, including Kahe Chhed Chhed Mohe and Taal Se Taal Mila, were presented with elegance and refinement.
The costumes enhanced the performances: lehenga paired with a fitted choli and churidar, often topped with a dupatta or odhni scarf draped over the shoulder & with skirts designed to flare dramatically during spins (chakkars). The ghungroos produced rhythmic sounds, complemented by jewellery like maang tikka, jhumkas, kamarbandh, bangles, and long necklaces.
The program concluded with a group performance followed by award of certificates to the students
Utsav 2025 left Sydney’s audience spellbound by Sakshi Kumar’s Sanskriti’s masterful fusion of tradition, technique, and youthful passion in Kathak artistry.
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