Dancer Rohini Umesh Shetty journeys into the world of Kathak

When you come from a line of dancers, much is expected of you. This is something Rohini Umesh Shetty, 21, is well aware of.

Rohini’s father is the renowned Indian classical dancer Umesh Shetty and her aunt Sukhi Shetty Krishnan is also heavily involved in dance while her grandfather, Gopal Shetty, was a pioneer of Indian classical dance in Malaysia.

Tonight, she will be presenting a solo dance performance, ‘Sadhana – The Grace through Kathak’.

‘Sadhana’ means a disciplined and dedicated practice or learning.

Kathak is a North Indian classical dance style that is known for its intricate footwork, sharp, yet fluid graceful movements, synchronised with deft and brisk pirouettes (Chakkars), as well as exploration of various rhythmic cycles.

She will be presenting dance compositions of Paramita Maitra and the late Pandit Birju Maharaj, encompassing both Nritya (pure dance) and Abhinaya (expressive dance) that fit into different rhythmic cycles, set at various tempos.

Rohini began learning dance at the tender age of three from The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia (TFA). She began her formal training in Kathak at the age of six with Dhanya Thurairajah and is one of the children who received direct guidance under the legendary Kathak maestros, Pandit Birju Maharaj and Saswati Sen.

As a performer, she has worked with TFA Inner Space Dance, performing locally and abroad. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Dance) degree at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Waapa) at Edith Cowan University in Australia last year.

During her time in Waapa, she choreographed for student showcases and performed the works of Ellen Hope Thomson (The Gorgeous Nothings, 2019), Leigh Warren (Bindies, 2019), Adelina Larsson Mendoza (In the Rite: III, 2020) and Sam Coren (Future ‘87, 2021).

Rohini has also been actively involved with the Saraswati Mahavidhyalaya performing arts centre in Perth, where she has choreographed and performed in several live and digital performances.

Growing up surrounded by dancers

Rohini describes growing up in a world of dance.

“I think it was growing up in the Temple of Fine Arts and being able to see my aunt and my dad dancing.

"It was like being born in a village of dancers. It is great to see their work in a creative space every day, create choreography, listen to their conversation and watch them put on productions.

"I think all that brought out something in me. I started liking the arts more and more. My mother used to push me and made me learn different styles of dance,” Rohini told Malaysiakini.

She said she wasn’t as interested in dance initially - but it was something she developed a love for.

“That is what made me pursue a degree in dance at Waapa,” she explained.

She said she is held to a higher standard because she has to live up to what her grandfather, father and aunt have done before she began learning to dance - and she admits to feeling the pressure of being part of a dance legacy.

"Although it is a lot of pressure, it is a good thing for me because I have to work a lot harder. It is a good push, a good drive, “ Rohini said.

Exploring classical dance

She had so many dance styles she could have mastered but she chose Kathak.

“I was taught to explore all the Indian classical dance styles. I plan to do a series of dance performances, so maybe I will do a contemporary solo after this or maybe Odissi or Bharata Natyam.

"I decided to start with Katha’ because I am most comfortable with this style of dance. Since I was a child, I have been most connected to Kathak," Rohini elaborated.

“In Perth, I did a few short (about 20 minutes) Kathak solos. So I thought it would be good to start with Kathak.”

Kathak was always a revered dance form. However, it became popular across the world courtesy of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit (a trained kathak dancer), who was choreographed by Birju in films such as “Devdas” and “Dedh Ishqiya”.

Birju only choreographed Kathak in selected films such as “Vishwaroopam” and “Bajirao Mastani”.

“I think in Malaysia, Kathak is not a common dance style. Not many people do it. It is a good thing I am doing a Kathak performance so that more people can see what this dance style is all about,” Rohini said.

She was in Perth during the pandemic. While being at home for two months, she found it difficult to participate in dance classes.

“When I came back from Perth, I was with Ask Dance Company for three months. I did a three-month internship with them. After that, I applied for a grant (Kakiseni) so I could do this Kathak show.

“I also have two shows coming up, also performing the Kathak that I have been asked to do. Right now I am concentrating on this show.”

Rohini plans to do all the shows she can, gain experience, and try to apply to different plays and travel to Europe. “I just want to go with the flow and see where it takes me,” she said.

Student to teacher

Rohini’s longtime dance teacher, Dhanya, told Malaysiakini that she has known Rohini since she was a baby.

“Her father, Umesh Shetty, was my teacher. She has grown up around dance all her life. She has had a long-standing interaction with me even before she started her Kathak classes,” Dhanya explained.

Dhanya said that at the TFA, one can learn various dance styles. When she was enrolled by her father, she thought she was going to a dance class. It was only when she was older that she noticed what her seniors did on stage.

“You learn all the styles, like ‘Odissi’, ‘Bharata Natyam’, ‘Kathak’ and the contemporary dances. I had specific teachers for each style, but over time Umesh Shetty became my guiding light in terms of dance. I took things seriously after my ‘Arangetram’ (debut performance).

"He started a dance company and I had a lot of opportunities to perform and learn from him. He did teach me the basics of Kathak before Birju Maharaj and Saswati came.

"He also taught me contemporary dance. He also influenced me when I was training in Bharata Natyam and Odissi as well,” Dhanya said.

Dhanya said Birju Maharaj had come down to TFA many years ago and became the main Kathak guru there. Saswati is his foremost disciple. But because they have many centres teaching Kathak, they introduced Paramita Maitra, who is a student of Birju, to oversee their classes.

Dhanya did a solo Kathak performance in 2016. She adds that knowledge of Kathak in Malaysia is limited. Each classical dance style has its own beauty and weight.

“The reason for it is important for solo performances like the one Rohini is doing because it helps you get deeper into the practice of that style.”

Dhanya said they lost many students during the pandemic for various reasons. But things have started picking up slowly. They still hold classes online.

‘Sadhana – The Grace through Kathak’ will be staged at Shantanand Auditorium at The Temple of Fine Arts in Kuala Lumpur at 8pm tonight. Click here for more information.

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