Moving Fearlessly towards Artistic Excellence

Vidushi Uma Dogra is one of the leading Kathak Exponent of India. She is the senior most Disciple of Late Guru Pt. Durga Lal ji of Jaipur Gharana. For her 50 years contribution in the field of Dance as Performer, Teacher , Choreographer and Author She has been conferred with

-Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from Govt of India in 2014. -Sanskriti Maharashtra Rajikiye Puraskar 2008. -Gaurav Samman from Govt of Maharashtra 2016 . -Honorary Doctorate of Art from ITM University of Raipur 2016. -Honorary Member of Min-on Concert Association Japan for spreading Peace and Happiness through Dance.

She is founder and Managing Trustee of Samved Society for Performing Arts. Under its banner from the last 32 years She organises 2 Major Festivals to promote Art and Artists. Pt. Durgalal Festival of Dance and Music. Raindrops Festival of Indian classical Dance.

Uma ji has written a book "IN Praise of Kathak" Many Articles on Dance which has published in Megzine of Sangeet Natak Akademi and other publication. She had made a film on her guru

"Nirwana through Dance '' Pt. Durgalal "

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

(0:03:02) Hosting the 32nd Pt Durgalal Festival post pandemic

(0:07:41) Being an artist vs being a dancer?

(0:08:52) The importance of appreciating dance,music and paintings

(0:11:55) How painting relates to dance

(0:14:17) Arranging platforms for dancers

(0:20:53) How Uma ji became fearless in the pursuit of arstistic excellence

(0:23:40) How should artists determine their worth

(0:26:38) Issues that come up when artists become organizers

(0:28:07) Younger artists having to pay to perform

(0:28:37) A rule of thumb for artists to determine their pay, based on the renumeration of the musicians

(0:38:52) Thoughts on getting mentorship from other gurus

(0:42:32) How Uma ji portrayed the Khandita Nayika differently

(0:45:54) How you teach differently than how you were taught

(0:50:21) The importance of appreciating yourself for a dancer

(0:51:53) Future projects

(0:57:01) Sharing information freely with everyone

(0:58:01) Working for animal activism

(1:01:52) Urge to senior artists to promote younger dancers/next generation artists