Through the Eyes of the Shisya III: Sharing on Guru Renu Sharma

While the artistic world in Kathak does focus largely on legendary performers and Gurus, often coming from hereditary families, I believe that there is also another way to look at it as many a times it is people in our lives like our mothers and teachers, that bring out unexpected and sometimes legendary aspects in us. This tattva is what constitutes the spirit of mentor-ship, much needed today in a world where multitasking and multiple-professions seems to have become the norm. This is what motivates me to write about Guru Renu Sharma or Renu Didi as she is called by her students. In her own words to me , 'Be cool like Lord Rama.I will be there to remind you of your prowess just as Hanuman always needed to be reminded of his mightiness and power to move mountains !! ', lies the seed of true mentor-ship

With Students after a Rehearsal

Having received her training in Lucknow from the masters of the the art form, she graduated in Kathak from the Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapith and went on to receive the national scholarship to study at Kathak Kendra. Not many know that she had actually been placed at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur post her Honours graduation in Physics. It was Pt Birju Maharaj, who over a dinner at their residence nudged her family into sending her to Kathak Kendra. At once fearless,but at the same time traditional, adapting herself continuously to changing times, but retaining the wisdom of Awadh, she truly resonates the paradox of being a modern-traditional. 

L: Renu Sharma with Pt Birju Maharaj and Guru Vikram Singhe R: In Laya Parikrama-1981

She currently straddles two worlds, one as the director for all activities and classes at Pt Birju Maharaj's Kalashram Mumbai, where she brings the subtle nature of Lucknow culture into Mumbai's fast paced students. and another as the secretary. ALPIKA, Lucknow's  premier cultural organization where she takes a little essence of Mumbai in her role as an art curator bringing a lot of organization into Lucknow's cultural scenery. From her I have imbibed over the past decade, the ability to create new concepts out of 'fragments of ideas' as well as explore poetry from Tulsidas, to Sumitranandan Pant to modern day Ruskin Bond, within the framework of  Kathak. 

A repertory member of Alpika, and student since last 6 years, Anupriya journeyed from Varanasi to Mumbai to pursue her singing career. Through her journey in Kathak she now finds herself greatly enriched in exploring the emotions(bhaav) when singing any line. Renu didi has been mentoring her both in her kathak and music ventures, often bringing them together as Anupriya composes new songs to add into the kathak repertoire, under Renu didi's direction. 

L: Anupriya and Renu Didi R: Antara and Renu Didi

Today Apr 30, a day after the world dance day is her birthday and I conclude by sharing a sweet birthday message from Anatara. Having learnt from Renu didi (Renu Ma'am for her) since she was practically a toddler, Antara is a most promising students and a favorite of the rest of us students. For Antara, she is not a guru or mentor but  second mother, an umbilical cord that has been forged through the art of Kathak.