KOCHI: There is something magical in the movements of the eye, sobre yet sensual. Then there is the footwork that creates quite a tremor. The sustained speed that alternates between the right and the left foot ably matched by the natural and deft movement of hands leave one in trance.
The audience at Thiruvananthapuram’s Bharat Bhavan was recently left in such a trance as Kathak exponent Khusbhoo Panchal performed. The Ujjain-based dancer, acclaimed for carrying forward the traditions of the Banaras gharana, was a sheer delight to watch. Beyond being an ambassador of Indian classical art, this ‘Princess of Kathak’ is known for mentoring hundreds of aspiring dancers at her institute Nrityaradhana.
Khushboo has worked with popular Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, and is also a familiar face in television as she has appeared on shows like Zee TV’s DID, where she earned the nickname ‘Risky Girl’ for her daring performances. She has also been featured in films and theater, including the lead role in the Sanskrit play Abhigyan Shakuntalam, and currently stars in the mythological serial Avantika on DD National. When I began my journey, I did not consciously choose Kathak.
But gradually, I found my life’s purpose and existence in it. Kathak, derived from ‘katha’, which means story, and my story began 30 years ago at a tender age. This journey had no predetermined destination, and such paths are always full of hardships.
I believe I was divinely destined for it, a.