Kathak Upasana

A 3-Day Festival at Upasana Space

Kathak Upasana is a thoughtfully curated three-day experience that traces the journey of Kathak across time and sensibilities. From its devotional roots in temple spaces to the grandeur of royal courts and into the expressive freedom of contemporary performance, the festival brings together diverse artistic voices to reveal Kathak as an ever-evolving art form.

Across three evenings, audiences are invited to witness rhythm, storytelling, and emotion unfold through distinct eras—each shaped by its own aesthetic, yet connected by the living pulse of Kathak.

Day 1 – May 15 | Temple Traditions

Bhakti Rasa | Origins of Expression

An opening evening grounded in devotion and spiritual depth, revisiting Kathak’s earliest expressions through narratives drawn from sacred texts and temple traditions.

Performances:

Invocation by the Upasana Collective
Madhurashtakam – Suchetha Venkataramaiah
Vandana – Dr Swanil Satyambada
Rudrashtakam & Dhamaar Taal – Manisha Ramachandra
Day 2 – May 16 | Courtly Splendour

Shringara & Adbhuta | Elegance of the Courts

An immersion into the refined world of classical patronage, where Kathak evolved into a sophisticated art of intricate rhythm, lyrical expression, and poetic storytelling.

Performances:

Thumri & Jhaptaal Tarana – Shreenidhi & Shambhavee
Ganapathi Moorat, Ghazal & Malhar Tarana (Lucknow Gharana style) – Poojashree C G
Thumri (composed by Bindadin Maharaj ji) – Deepti Hasabi
Nuances of Drut Teentaal & Tarana in Raag Kaushi Kanada – Naveen R. Hegde
Day 3 – May 17 | Contemporary Expressions

Kathak in Motion | Present & Future

A closing chapter that reimagines Kathak through contemporary lenses—where tradition meets experimentation, and classical grammar finds new global dialogues.

Performances:

Meenakshi Pancharatnam – Upasana Collective
Journey of a Global Artist (Kathak meets K-Pop) – Ruchika Bhat
Karmanya – Upasana Collective