Anjana Patel is someone I have looked up to ever since arriving at Boston University. A highly successful student in both the College of General Studies and Questrom, she is also a trained dancer in Kathak, one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance, originating in Northern India. This past summer, she conceptualized, created, and performed a stunning solo piece. It not only showcased her skills and prowess as a Kathak dancer, but it also acted as a graduation performance from her dance school. I interviewed Anjana to talk about how she handled putting on an entire show in a limited amount of time, as well as all the ways she has learned and grown from her experiences with Kathak.
Q: Can you explain a little bit about the Kathak Pranam, its significance, and your personal history with it?
A: A Kathak Pranam Ceremony (KP for short) is a Kathak Dancer’s debut as a solo artist, as well as a graduation performance. This production consists of 7 items:
1) Vanada, an invocation dance.
2) Niritta Pradarshan, a live item showcasing the Nritta (technical) aspect of Kathak with live tabla (drums), vocal, and harmonium artists
3) Thumri, a formal genre of classical Indian music with poetic words that are romantic or devotional in nature.
4) A self composed piece where the dancer tells a story through dance and composes all aspects of the 20-minute piece.
5) Filler dance, a dance choreographed and taught by the dancer to a junior level group of dancers.
6) Tarana, a playful fast-paced composition in Indian classical music that uses wordless syllable clusters set to a melody that follows the rules of raga and rhythm.
7) Pareeksha, in which the dancer is challenged in an impromptu test (pareeksha) to assess the depth of her knowledge and confidence in her Kathak skills.
The opportunity to earn a Kathak Pranam (PK) is awarded after an average of 10 years of Kathak training with our guru (teacher). The KP is earned after the dancer completes a rigorous test of practical, theoretical and compositional skills in Kathak. It is seen as the highest achievement for a Kathak dancer in our school. An average of only 0-3 girls are awarded this opportunity from the entire school each year.
I had always had the idea of completing my KP throughout my dance career but it wasn’t until my junior year of high school when I really started to seriously consider it. I participated in three older girls’ KP ceremonies by performing in their self composed pieces and filler dances so I could get some experience of being a part of a KP stage.
Q: How did you prepare for it?
A: I took my KP test in August 2019 and ended up having my KP July 2021, so the journey was a long and tiring one. To prepare for it I had to have weekly private sessions with my guru to prepare my five solo items in the show. I also had to complete a required minimum of 50 volunteer hours with the school by teaching junior groups and attending other classes to scout dancers to be in my show. I also had to research every piece of music in my show and get it approved by my guru who had very strict standards for what is allowed to be played on the KP stage. Additionally, I had to write the sound, lighting and emcee script and meet with the emcee to rehearse. I also had to network with other senior dancers in the school to help run my show by handling light, sound and backstage duties. I also had to write a story for my self-composed item, choreograph, teach, design props and costumes, and coordinate practices with dancers (from nine years old to 42 years old). I also had to help design the programs, hall decorations, and invites. Finally, I had to design my own costumes and worked with a designer in India to bring them to life.
Q: How did you deal with the stress and intensity of choreographing and creating an entire show in a limited amount of time?
A: COVID shifted our timeline by a year, and moving to Boston for college limited my time at home to work face-to-face on my KP. I took classes on Zoom from my dorm in Boston to start my work as early as possible. When I came home, one of the most stressful times of my life began. The long list of things I had to do just kept growing longer and longer. Admittedly, I struggled to get in three meals a day, have adequate sleep, or have time to relax. My guru and parents really were the ones who helped me manage all this stress and intensity. My parents tried to take as many non-dance-related things off my plate, such as designing brochures or coordinating with the caterer and event planner, so I could just focus on my performance on stage. My guru was the most understanding yet strict person. As a mother figure and dance teacher, she was able to comfort and accommodate me when I was struggling, but also build me up to be the solo artist I was training to become.
Q: How do you feel about your KP now that it’s over? What did you learn?
A: I am so proud to say I have done a Kathak Pranam ceremony. It was truly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and now everything seems almost easy after it. I cringe as I rewatch the video since I know there are a million things I could’ve done better, but that just means that my Kathak journey isn’t over; I will continue to learn and grow as a dancer.
I could write an entire book on all the things I’ve learned, but most importantly I learned the importance of Kathak. Although it is just an art form, it taught me more than just dance. I learned discipline, time management, leadership skills, how to express my emotions, grace and poise, and so much more.
Q: What is your most memorable experience from all your years as a classical dancer?
A: I must say my KP was the most memorable experience for me. My years in dance have been a roller coaster, from times where I begged my mom to let me quit to times where dancing brought me a type of joy that made me forget about all the other stresses in my life. Being able to use all I have learned for 13 years and showcase it on a solo stage for all my friends and family to enjoy, both in the audience and all over the country on live-stream, is an experience I will never forget.
Speaking to Anjana about her Kathak Pranam was a very inspiring experience. her perseverance, hard work, and deep, profound connection to her culture are incredible qualities that all young women should try to emulate.
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