Kathak is an ancient Indian classical dance form, it was started from North India known as Kathakars, which means story tellers these Kathakars to travel for conveying stories of Music Dance and songs during early days through early Greek theatre.
This class was created for the bhakti development with the pattern of Mystical commitment, which advanced the Hinduism in medieval era.
These Kathakars were conveying stories through rhythmic foot movement, hand gestures, facial expressions & appearances with eye work.
This form of Art was performed which consolidated awesome Indian stories particularly the life of lord Krishna which turned out to be very famous in the regions of North India and his kingdom in that era.
The Foundation of Kathak deep routed in Natya Shastra which was written by Bharata Muni in Sanskrit.
Three Leading forms of this art was leaded through three Gharanas( schools) named as Jaipur Gharana, Banaras Gharana & Lucknow Gharana.
In the Modern Era adapting to the modern ways of life but keeping the. Aesthetics of this Ancient art alive which is phenomenon, in today’s Story of Talented Homestar Section, I am talking about one of such Star named Shalu Shrivastav, hails from Bhopal, her primary education was from Bhopal, was from Sarojini Naidu school & Sarojini Naidu -Govt Girls college- Bhopal .
She has been a good student of clinical Psychology , passed with first division on her Masters degree, even she secured First division in Kathak masters too, who has started learning this form of Ancient Indian art at her early age under the proud guidance of her First Guru Dr. Rashmi Rathore, A senior disciple of her Father Pt. Surendra Prasad Rathore of Lucknow Gharana, Shalu later obtained her art from Ustaad Sarju Mohan s/o Ustaad Mohan Das ji, who had laid the foundation of Jaipur Gharana ( kathak ) in Bhopal ( M P ) with the great devotion, dedication clubbed with hard work & sincerity.
Later on Shalu completed her Masters Degree M.A.( Praveen) in Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti- Allahabad, She has been lucky to have learnt the skill of kathak Art from Pandit Birju Maharaj & Vidushi Saswati Sen in Kalashram. Who is a direct descendent of Ishwari Prasad , he is son of late Padamshree Pt. Achchan Maharaj ji- Seventh generation of Lucknow Gharana.
Pt.Birju Maharaj ji is the torch bearer of Kalka bindadin Gharana of Kathak.
Further continuing her study Shalu completed her M.A. in Kathak from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya Khairgarh- Chhattisgarh.
Shalu also Running her Dancing school in Dwarka Delhi, which is run by her NGO Kalangan Foundation where studentscan learn, Indian Vocal instruments like, Tabla, Hamonium, etc apart from Kathak Dance form ,many kids from the nearby areas are learning these Great Indian Vocal and Dance, Kalangan Students have been performing various parts in India , Parents of these kids feel Proud, that, their kids are enjoying and learning of this great Indian vocal instruments & Indian Classical dance Specially Kathak, which has shown Remarkable success in Delhi –NCR.
Shalu has Performed Kathak in various city in India as well in Different parts of the globe, Specially in USA. An Avid traveller loves Shopping ,whenever she gets time, loves music.
She loves to sing, as she has composed some of her own Thumri’s for the Performances, as Music and dance becomes her Soul, She is a good Tabla Player,
She has devoted her life to kathak, even she does choreography for all her Dance Shows & Performances,She is one powerhouse with Great talent.
Her Message to the younger lot of this Social Media Generation :
“ Just be Musical, as Music sets your soul and makes it divine, fitness is must if you wanting to become an Avid Kathak Performer, which requires physical and Mental Fitness, there is not much in the social Media, learn the Art become proficient then world will be at your doorstep”
| S.no | Year | Awards & Honors of Shalu Shrivastav |
| 1 | 2015 | Kala Kan Mani -Award recipient by Kala Vikas Parishad- GADAG |
| 2015- 2019 | Appointed as Examiner of Prayag Samiti conducted Kathak Examination | |
| 2 | in VIRGINIA -USA | |
| 3 | 2018 | Honoured with “KALA VIKAS SATKAR ” Award by |
| Kala Vikas Parishad- ( GAGAG) | ||
| 4 | 2018 | Recipient of ” young Achiever National Award by Bharat Darshan |
| World Centre,Pune | ||
| 5 | 2019 | Recipient of ” Royal Rajasthan Ratan ” Award by Rajasthan Media Group |
| 6 | 2021 | Received Life Time Achievement Award From Lions Clubs International, |
| Chennai, also Performed Saraswati Vandana with Students of | ||
| India Islamic Centre -Delhi on Occasion of Bollywood Star | ||
| Bishwajit’s Birthday organised by ” Saraswati Kala Sangam “ | ||
| 7 | 2021 | Performed at “Surajkund International Crafts Mela” |
| 8 | 2022 | Performed at “Khajuraho Nritya Mahotrsav 2022” |
| 9 | 2022 | Performed at the festival organized by the Raganjali –Govt of UP |
| 10 | 2023 | Performed at Sanskritik Sandhya organized by Vastra Mantrayala,Govt of UP |
| 11 | 2023 | Performed at Suraj Kund International Craft Mela Faridabad- Haryana |
Team Time4Star wishes Shalu Shrivastav a very Happy & successful life for her amazing Classical Dancing Career in order to impart the best in the Students of Kalangan, we are sure her students will earn Name and Fame with this Great Indian Traditional art to take it to places not only in India & Worldwide.
In case you wanted to reach out to her for enrolling in her Dancing school:
Kalangan
Manish Mega Plaza, S-10, Plot no-13, 2nd Floor , near McDonald,
Sector-5, Dwarka- new Delhi-75.
We will come back with another scintillating Story with another StarCall; 91-9871168883 Email : info@kalanganfoundation.com