Where there is a will, there is a way. That adage kept ringing in my mind as Vibha Ramaswami was talking to me. Born to a conservative family in U.P., Vibha dreamt of becoming a Kathak dancer. “There were many people who taught Kathak, but my relatives were shocked at the idea of my learning the dance form. My parents too did not take my plea seriously. They associated Kathak with brothels, may be because of the films in those days… Umrao Jaan, I don’t know,” recalls Vibha, who then went on to concentrate on her studies.
In due time, her father was transferred to Mysore and the family settled down there. “I was studying engineering at that time and again raised the topic of Kathak. They gave the green signal and I went about looking for a teacher. After learning the art for another two years, I got involved with a job, marriage and motherhood. And dance took a back seat.”
“After childbirth, I was looking for some physical exercise to lose weight and found a brochure advertising Kathak classes in the neighbourhood! That brought back all my passion for the dance. This time, my husband and late mother-in-law supported me wholeheartedly. Vibha then got back into the classical groove and has even travelled abroad with well known Kathak dancers such as Hari and Chetana.
Trained by Ila Mehta, Vibha says she found her grounding when she learnt under Murari Sharan Gupt, a student of Birju Maharaj.
Soon Vibha gave up her career in the corporate world and started her own dance school KathaKonnect. “It is my way of making people connect with the art,” she explains and says that she is open to teaching people of any age. “For senior citizens it is more abhinaya and mild movements. Some of my students even sit on a chair and perform. When I started dance at 36, and travelled the world with my art, why can’t other women do the same? I never dreamt I would be invited to dance aboard!” says the 46-year-old dancer, who now focuses on teaching and conducting workshops.
“I do perform once in a way. But I find that I am passionate about teaching too. After my mother-in-law passed away, I could not travel much as my son was very young.”
Her passion these days is simply to popularise Kathak in the city. She even takes her students to watch other performers as “they will learn to appreciate the art of watching other performers too. My aim is to take the art where it does not reach, like say schools or old age homes. I want every one to understand the beauty of this art form.”
For details go to www.facebook.com/KathaKonnect
