St. Thomas’ School, Shimla, in collaboration with SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth), hosted a mesmerizing Kathak performance by the internationally acclaimed maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani, one of the foremost exponents of the Jaipur Gharana.
He was accompanied by an exceptional ensemble: Kishore Kumar on tabla, Vinod Gangani on vocals, and Ravi Sharma on sarangi, each adding depth and richness to the performance.
Renowned for his innovation and technical brilliance, Pandit Gangani is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003), presented by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Having begun his Kathak journey at the tender age of four under his father and guru Pandit Kundanlal Gangani, he has since mesmerized audiences globally—from London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall to the Festival of India in the former Soviet Union.
The event was attended by several eminent figures from the arts, including celebrated production designer and actor Lalit Bhardwaj, theatre personalities Rupesh Bhimta, Vikas Gautam, Sejal, and Taruna Mishra, along with students from the Music Department of Himachal Pradesh University.
During an engaging interaction, students of St. Thomas’ School—Jiya, Priya, Shagun, and others—posed insightful questions about Kathak, to which Pandit Gangani responded with passion and depth.
In his address, he emphasized, “Art knows no gender; it is a spiritual discipline. To truly master it, one must become a devoted practitioner.” He thanked the school’s Principal Vidhupriya Chakravarty, Vice-Principal Sharon Nanda, the SPIC MACAY team, and all attendees for their support and warm welcome.
Principal Vidhupriya Chakravarty expressed pride in the school’s long-standing association with SPIC MACAY since 2008 and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting cultural heritage through such enriching events. She also acknowledged the role of media—print, electronic, and online—in highlighting and supporting cultural education.
