Shashi Sankhla
Shashi Sankhla, (born 28 October 1948), is an exponent of the Jaipur gharana of Kathak dance in India. She is a Senior Disciple of Guru Pt. Kundan Lal Gangani Ji. She has been awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2008 in Kathak dance.[1] She was the principal of Jaipur Kathak Kendra. Her earnest desire to propagate and sustain the classical tenets of Kathak urged her to form Geetanjali music Society an institute devoted to Kathak.
Shashi Sankhla | |
|---|---|
Former President Pratibha Patil presenting the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008) to Shashi Sankhla (right) | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 28 October 1948 Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
| Origin | India |
| Genres | Indian classical Dance|Kathak Dance |
| Occupation(s) | Kathak Guru, Performing Artiste, composer, Artistic Director |
| Years active | 1951 - present |
Early life and background
Kathak Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla is one of those few artistes who've made their presence felt on the international level. Born in the suncity Jodhpur, Rajasthan, her versatile journey of performing arts began under the guidance of famous KATHAK Gurus of Jaipur Gharana like Pandit Mool Chand Gometi ji and was further groomed by Pandit Mohan lal Maharaj ji and later on by Pt. Kundanlal Gangani ji of the Jaipur Gharana. She was fortunate enough to further enhance her knowledge in the field of Bharatnatyam by Guru Pratibha Pandit, Baroda Vocal Music under Pt. Kshirsagar ji and acquired proficiency in playing Pakhawaj under Pt. Badrinarayan Pareek ji and Folk Dances under Master Kasim ji.
Career
She started her career as a teacher at the age of 19, at the Rashtriya Kala Mandal in Jodhpur and then at Jaipur Kathak Kendra as Kathak Nritya Guru in 1978 and served that institution for 28 years and retired as Principal in 2006. Currently she is imparting kathak training at Geetanjali Music Society, Jaipur. She has groomed many Shishyas including her own daughters who have turned out to be performing artists and teachers and are currently working at various organisations all over the globe. Some of her experimental productions conclude pure classical Gayaki like Dhrupad, Khayal, Tarana, Ashtapadis whereas others conclude folk lore and Ballets like Panihari, Kesariya Balam, Chaucer, Rajputani, Gangaur, Ghoomar, RadheyRani, Dashavtaar etc. to name a few.
Awards and honours
Shashi Sankhla has won many accolades, including Sangeet Natak Academy Rajasthan (2001) by then Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri. Ashok Gehlot and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, New Delhi in 2008 by then President Of India Smt Pratibha Patil.[1] In addition to this she was conferred the Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy by Inter Cultural Open University, Netherlands (2003). She was also awarded Fellowship by HRD Ministry of Art and Culture on the topic "MAAND" (a semiclassical style of singing of Rajasthan)-"Kathak Nritya Mein Abhinaya Ka Ek Sashakt Madhyam" that fulfills the much needed requirement of "Thumri" of Jaipur Gharana. (2001-2003).