A legend remembered

“All the students who will be performing have had at least five years of training,and most of them have finished their post-graduation in dance. However,the program will also feature exceptionally talented youngsters of the academy,” says Shama Bhate,director of Naadroop,who also happens to be the daughter-in-law and disciple of the legendary danseuse. The programme will present a plethora of music and dance performances commemorating the life of a legend.

Being her daughter-in-law,Shama surely has gained an unparalleled insight into Rohini Bhate as a person,not just as a dancer. “As a person,Rohiniji was very dignified and graceful. She brought a certain poise and elegance to whatever she did,and thus commanded a lot of respect,” says Shama.

“As a teacher,she had the ability to open our eyes and minds. Her training went beyond instruction in only dance or thumris,and she taught us to explore the inner meaning and significance behind what we were learning.” Shama will be capping off the programme with a performance of a thumri composed by Rohini Bhate herself,which she taught to Shama during the course of her training.

The dances will be followed by a vocal performance by Rahul Deshpande,who is the grandson of Vasantrao Deshpande,Bhate’s guru in classical music. Rahul will be performing an assortment of raagas and natyageet,as well as some light classical music.

“I have been interacting with Rohiniji since I was very young,and I didn’t realise her legendary status until I started learning classical music. She was more like a grandmother to me,and my earliest memories are of her coming to pay her respects to my grandmother on Guru Poornima,” says Rahul.

“One quality of hers that stood out was her simplicity. Even though she was such an eminent artiste and commanded so much respect,she remained simple and down-to-earth,” he adds.