From Govt Work To Kathak, Yasmin Singh’s Deft Moves

NEW DELHI, (IANS) – Development sector specialist-turned-acclaimed Kathak dancer Dr Yasmin Singh completed her doctorate in Kathak from the Raja Man Singh Tomar Sangeet Vishwadvidyalaya, Gwalior. Yasmin was initiated into Kathak by Guru Madhukar Jagtapji of Indore. In the Guru-Shishya (master-disciple) tradition, she has honed her dance by training with renowned and widely acclaimed teachers, including Pandit Arjun Mishra of Lucknow.

Yasmin said: “Initially, I was just doing it as a hobby because my focus was on my career and not on the performing arts. I was a specialist in the development sector, working in the areas of water and sanitation for the Government of India. For 15 years, I worked in that field and then I took up this dance form as both a profession and passion. For the past five years, I have dedicated my time and devoted my energy to practicing and performing.”

Elaborating about her career path, Yasmin said: “The four main gharanas of Kathak are well known. Being a product of a university, I do not follow any gharana. I focus more on the aesthetics of the dance form, on the beautiful use of lights, design and costumes, and taking up a theme and presenting it.”

Avidly experimenting with the Kathak dance style and structure, Yasmin has produced, directed, and choreographed productions such as ‘Shiv Om’, ‘Shakti Swaroopa’, ‘The Divine Krishna’, ‘Anubhuti’, ‘The Raigarh Kathak’, ‘Mahadev’ and ‘Surya’.