INFORMATION REGARDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN KATHAK DANCE

Dr. Pt. Nandkishore Kapote is a a born Artist. Nandkishore as a child used to dance to the tunes of Radio. As he grew up, he immitated the dances in movies which he saw. In subsequent years of his school dayss, he took interest in all kinds of dance forms.

Once, he saw the dance performance of Natraj Gopi-Krishna. It was his first occasion to see a male dancer. It had an ever lasting impact on him. He decided to take this Art. He was allowed by his family to join a Kathak Traning Institute in Pune at the young age of Nine.

He did Kathak training and completed Diploma Course (three years) and Degree Course (five years) in Kathak Dance under the guidance of Shri. Mannalal Shukla. During training period, he also gave performances in and out side Maharashtra. He took part in dance competition to his getting prizes and commendatory letters. Nandkishore also simultaneously completed his graduation in commerce. He applied for National Scholarship from Govt. of India. In 1976-77 Nandkishore received National Scholarship from the Cultural Dept. Govt. of India for learning Kathak Dance under the guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj at New Delhi. Nandkishore Kapote is the first male Kathak Aritst to receive such a Scholarship in Maharashtra.

Nandkishore Kapote - kathak pose / kathak dance

Under (Guru Shishya Parampara) the kind and able guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj Nandkishore completed Ten Years Kathak Dance Training. He served his Guru will full devotion. With his blessing Nandkishore gave Kathak Dance performances all over India and abroad (America, Canada, Japan, Holland, Kuwait and Russia etc.) He also performed at Delhi and Mumbai Doordarshan.

In 1982 Nandkishore Kapote presented a Kathak dance performance in Russia in the presence of LATE PRIME MINISTER OF INDA SMT. INDIRA GANDHI and Late PRESIDENT MR.BRAZNOV OF RUSSIA, and in 1987 he again performed Kathak dance in Russia in the presence of LATE PRIME MINSTER OF INDIA Mr. RAJIV GANDHI. At the opening ceremony of “ASIAD 1982 at Delhi Nandkishore Kapote had given dance performance under the able Music Direction of Pt. Ravishankar. In 1986 with the blessing of Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Nandkishore Kapote established dance Institution and stepped in the field of Kathak dance training in Pune. Many students of Nandkishore Kapote who have passed out through this institute are carrying the same torch and spreading the knowledge of Kathak in all over Maharashtra by conducting Kathak dance classes. Students ageing 4 yrs to 80 years are undertaking training in this institution.

In 1998 at Pimpri – Chinchwad on behalf of Nandkishore Cultural Society Dr. Nandkishore Kapote established “Kathak University”, whose main building was inaugurated at the hands of Guru and wellknown Kathak exponent Pt. Birju Maharaj.

This is the sole Institute in Maharashtra providing training in all kinds of performing Artss like Singing, Dancing, Instrumental i.e. in Hindustani Classical Vocal, Karnataka Vocal, Tabla, Harmonium etc. The institute consists of a well equip auditorium of its own which provides a platform to the students seeking admission into it to perform their Arts.

University has its own Library consisting thousands of Books related to Dance Music for the acquaintance of students.This helps them to enhance their knowledge about a particular art form. It also provides Hostel facilities for students from different places and also for the Artist who come from different places. Moreover students are indeed privileged to learn under the Gurukul system.The University is affiliated to Pune University, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, which unable the students to excel in exams conducted thereby. This entitles them for exams like B.A, M.A, Ph.D etc for this noble cause Nanadkishore Cultural Society has been awarded by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sports Ministry Govt. India.

Many eminent Kathak Dancers like Kathak Queen Sitar Devi, Rohini Bhate, Padmashri Kumudini Lakhia, Padmavibhushan Birju Maharaj have enthralled the audience by their performances in this Auditorium. They have also conducted dance workshop and seminar to the benefit of the students.

This Institute Organises for many beneficial activities for students such as Youth Festival for upcoming Artist Lecture demonstrations on other Dance form such as Bharatnatyam, Odisi, Kathakali etc. and Kathak Mahayagna Festival.

Since 1987 Dr.Nandkishore Kapote is working with LALIT KALA KENDRA, PUNE UNIVERSITY as a Dance Mentor as well as one among the Chief Panel.

Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University and Dr.Nandkishore Kapote has jointly organized numerous Kathak Dance Seminar and workshops of Prominent personalities.

Dr.Nandkishore Kapote has been conferred Ph.D (Doctorate) in Kathak Dance for his outstanding contribution in Kathak from Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune, and is also entitled to be the first ever male dancer in Maharashtra.

Dr.Nandkishore Kapote is doing social work through Kathak Dance. Dr. Kapote has spread the message of aids awareness family planning, Pollution free environment through the Kathak Dance. Dr.Nandkishore Kapote gives free training in dance to students belonging to slum areas and tribal people (SC/ST/OBC students).

Dr.Nandkishore Kapote has written numerous articles on dance which have been published in various News papers, Magazines etc.“ Kathak Samrat Birju Maharaj “ a book written by Dr.Nandkishore Kapote has been published is recommended by Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University Tilak Maharashtra University and Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal as a refrence book for various dance examinations “Kathak Samrat Birju Maharaj” a book written by Dr.Nandkishore Kapote on his Guru and Kathak Maestro Padmavibhushan Pdt. Birju Maharaj in one among the privileged books to have the introduction of Kathak Queen Sitaradevi and Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia.

Dr.Nandkishore Kapote has choreographed various Marathi and Hindi Films. Dr.Nandkishore Kapote’s dance C.D. named “ Shiv Ram Shyam “ has been released by Fountain Music Company.

Dr.Nandkishore is a “ A Grade Kathak Artist from Delhi Door Darshan. In 1995 Nandkishore Kapote gave performance along with Pdt. BIRJU MAHARAJ and USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN in the presence of Pdt. Ravi Shankar in America. Nandkishore Kapote presented so many Dance Dramas (Ballet) i.e. “ MAHAMANAV” for the first time in India based on the life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar “ “Mrutunjaya Mahavir” based on Jain Dharma and th life of Mahavir, “ Mahakaleshwar Shiva” based on Nava – Rasa and “Navar Krishna Saman” based on the life of Late “BALGANDHARVA”. Nandkishore Kapote gives every year Kathak performances form Maharashtra Cultural Dept., Maharashtra State.

Nandkishore received so many awards for achievements and contribution in Kathak dance field. Dr. Nandkishore Kapote received “Maharashtra State Cultural Award 2003” by Shri. Sushil Kumar Shinde (Ex.Chief Minister of Maharashtra State) for 35 years contribution and devotion in Kathak Dance and “Maharashtra State Dr. Babasaheb Dalit Mitra Award 2010” by Shri Ashok Chavan (Ex. Chief Minister Maharashtra State).

Dr. Nandkishore Kapote is a recognised Ph.D. Guide in Kathak Dance at University of Pune & Tilak Maharashtra University .Dr.Kapote is a Special Executive Officer of Mah. Govt. . In 2006 Nandkishore has established “Pt. Birju Maharaj Dance and Music Research Centre and Library” consisting thousands of books related to dance and music for the acquaintance of students.Recently Dr.Pt.Nandkishore Kapote awarded by “Lad Suvarnakar Samaj Bhushan Award” in March 2014 and “Swarshri Award” 2014.