Traditions. The meaning attached to that word comes with some extra gifts and connotations; of responsibility, of baggage, of weight, of expectations- everything we run away from. But hidden beneath this disguise of burden is a quiet liberation that comes in following the footsteps of those that came before you. Different generations carry their own struggles and battles but what ties them together is ambition, the drive to do something more. The drive that transcends time and age and fuels an artist’s very being. Everything we are is what we learn from our Gurus, and everything they are is because of who their Gurus were.
Tradition, therefore, is not a chain that binds you to the past, but a thread anchoring you to your roots that lets you fly high without losing your footing. We all know that the arts are much more than the physical performance of a skill. In fact, it is a complete testament of what it means to carry a legacy. The nuances in the alankaras of a vocalist, how a percussionist uses his fingers, the tapping sound of a dancer’s feet, every artist carries a legacy in their movements. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, when we practice our art we do our part in creating a legacy. It is presented to us as a way of safeguarding the past but more than preservation it is an evolution. Everything we learn from our Guru comes with learnings of their own, what they achieved and what they didn’t, their questions and their answers, their problems and their solutions, their wins and their losses, their mistakes and their lessons. Learning can never be counted, it is only felt and understood.
The 23rd Ninad Concert Series was a live example of the peace that comes with building upon a tradition rather than breaking away. Held on 13th July 2025 at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai, it reminded us that following a legacy does not mean to walk under a shadow but to trust the path carved out by those that walked before you.
In the beginning of the show we witnessed the magic of Pt. Durga Lal ji through a beautiful documentary directed by Ms. Indrayanee Mukherjee, that showed us how deeply art can touch the people around you. An artist’s gift lies not in their ability to perform but in their ability to reach a person’s soul without speaking a word to them. This gift was clearly passed down through Durga Lal ji’s teachings that he bestowed upon one of his seniormost disciples Pandita Uma Dogra ji and further passed down to Uma ji’s disciple Dr. Tina Tambe.
The performance opened with the very essence of this theme, a Guru Vandana presented by Uma Dogra ji, Dr. Tina Tambe and her disciples. An homage to the principles of guru shishya parampapra, a conversation across generations, and a symbolic tribute to the growth of an art and an artist. We could visually experience how knowledge is inherited by a Shishya from the Guru, and how it evolves.
This was followed by a taal presentation by Tina ji wherein we beheld the vigour, rhythmic complexities and nuances for which Kathak is known. Intricate footwork, sharp movements and her commandeering stage presence created a thrilling experience for the audience.
Furthermore we witnessed a mesmerising Ashtapadi presented by Uma ji in her distinct style that left spectators speechless. Mastery over abhinaya is not something that can be learnt, but requires years of experience and embodiment of the bhava which the spectators were blessed to observe through this piece.
This scintillating evening was tied together by a Tarana presented by the disciples of Dr. Tina Tambe. Their energy and spirit brought about the performance’s crescendo acting as a powerful finale. The piece was concluded when all three generations of dancers joined the stage providing the perfect ending.
Such a masterful presentation was accompanied and enchanted by Shri Satyarprakash Mishra on Tabla, Shri Vaibhav Mankad on Vocals and Harmonium, and Shri Sandeep Mishra on Sarangi. The dancers from Ninad Group that were a part of the showcase were Aastha Bhatia, Sara Natu, Ruchi Gadgil, Neha Gadgil, and Gayatri Tambe. The show was also compèred by students of Ninad – Simaniti Budukh, Trisha Waghela and Sejal Deole.
The 23rd Ninad Concert was supported by Maya Somaiya School of Performing Arts, Somaiya Vidyavihar University.
The 23rd Ninad Concert Series was not a performance, but a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of tradition. It served as a reminder that legacy is not something to be left behind but something to be refined, enriched, and re-imagined. As three generations shared the stage, the evening stood as a testament to the blessings of the guru-shishya parampara and the immeasurable journey of artistic growth.
