Manesh has written on classical dance for various cultural and lifestyle magazines such as SUTRA, SA INDIA and THE INDIAN ANNUAL. He has contributed his thoughts and research work to two publications by acclaimed author and senior Bharata Natyam danseuse Smt. Heather Parker Lewis namely DANCE OF BLISS and THE SPACE BETWEEN THE NOTES.

His ongoing research, based on the ancient temple tradition of Kathak, began in 2010 and he aims to preserve this through his productions, talks and teaching.

He is a dance and music examiner for numerous institutes around South Africa and has conducted workshops, lecture – demonstrations and seminars at various festivals.

His interviews and productions are featured regularly on South African Television, radio and in the press.

In 2014 Manesh mentored an intensive Kathak programme in association with the Vadhini Indian arts Academy in Cape Town. This long term project has inspired many students to learn the art-form and exposed Kathak on a new level in Cape Town.

On 10 – 11 December 2016 Manesh will launch KATHAYOG in Durban -an intensive Kathak programme open to all students of Kathak. Through a holistic approach KATHAYOG endeavours to improve the standard of Kathak while simultaneously affording students a conducive environment in which to immerse themselves in the joy of dance.

Manesh is presently the Artistic Director of Kala Darshan – Institute of Classical music & dance (Est. 1999) focusing on the preservation & advancement of Indian classical music & dance in South Africa. The disciplines taught are Hindustani Vocal, Sitar, Tabla, Harmonium and Kathak. Students follow a syllabus as laid down by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Music) and Nritya Darshan (Kathak). Kala Darshan offers the student of Shastriya Sangeet an experience that opens a path of spirituality and self-realization. It imbibes within its teaching structure a blend of the modern institutional method as well as the ancient Guru- Shishya parampara tradition thereby ensuring the continuation of a great cultural heritage. Discipline, respect and devotion to the classical performing arts are practiced steering the shishya away from the negativity of the material world towards a journey of enlightenment, self-empowerment and ultimately spiritual bliss through the arts. Annual performances are staged where aspiring students are afforded the opportunity to showcase their talents before a live audience. Since its inception, Kala Darshan has trained numerous students who have become artists in their own right & who have established successful institutes of their own.

To join a class, please contact me

Classes - General

Vocal
Monday	6-7pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Tuesday	6-7pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Wednesday	5-6pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Sitar
Monday	5-6pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Friday	5-6pm	David Landau Hall – Asherville
Tabla
Wednesday	5-6pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Friday	5-6pm	David Landau Hall – Asherville
Harmonium
Wednesday	5-6pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Friday	5-6pm	David Landau Hall – Asherville
Kathak
Wednesday	6-8pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Thursday	4-5pm	ABH – Chatsworth
Friday	4-5pm	David Landau Hall – Asherville
Saturday	9-10am	David Landau Hall – Asherville

Classes - Private

Monday – Friday 9am – 12pm (private studio in Kharwastan)

School performances

Produced, choreographed and directed the following school productions:

Utsav 1999, Dance Of The Gods 2002, Sur Singar 2003, Krishna Leela 2004, Dancing Ragas 2005, Geet Milan 2006, Jugal Bandhi 2006, Bhakriras 2007, Kathamrita 2007, Mahadevi 2008, Pancharatna 2009, Rasarang 2009, Swarangika 2010, Ragas And Talas 2011, Solah Shringar 2011, Divine Shapes 2012, Taal Tarang 2012, Kathakriti 2012, Bhajanamrit 2013, Swaralaya 2015.

View photos of performances and rehearsals

Students who have completed their Rangmanch Pravesh – inaugural performance

Shika Mohanlal – 2005 (Kathak)
Niveshan Munsamy – 2014 (Kathak)
Ishka Nanoo – 2015 (Kathak)

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Kathak in South Africa

Kala Darshan Institute of Classical Music and Dance

Training

Manesh Maharaj is a graduate of the renowned Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai –India) where he underwent seven and a half years of rigorous training in Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet (North Indian classical music). Groomed by renowned Gurus, he obtained his ‘Sangeet Visharad’ (B.MUS) in 1996 graduating in Hindustani vocal music and Sitar and continued with post graduate studies for two and a half years. Manesh is also the senior disciple of the legendary Kathak Guru the Late Sushri Madhurita Sarang (Mumbai) with whom he trained in Kathak under the Guru-shishya parampara tradition. He is a consummate artist who has performed extensively in India as well as All India Radio and has imbibed a rich repertoire which forms the foundation of his artistic endeavours.

Gurus

Shri gurubhyo namah

I pay humble respects to my first Gurus, my parents Smt. Somwathi Maharaj and Pandit Thegram Maharaj for introducing me to the world of Sangeet at the age of 7. I feel extremely fortunate to have been under the tutelage of Gurus in South Africa who laid the foundation and inspired me to pursue my music studies and my Gurus in India who took a personal interest in my progress as a foreign student. They have all blessed me with a great legacy and so much more which defines the person I am today.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Madhurita Sarang
Murli Manohar Shukla
Parents - Pt. and Mrs T. Maharaj
Shampa Pakrashi
Shashikala Kaikini
Stuti Dey
Sudhindra Bhaumik
Udayraj Karpur
Ustad Rafat Khan

South Africa

Vocal, harmonium & tabla

Master Hari Singh
Shri Hariram Bansi
Smt. Geeta Maharaj

Sitar

Shri Jayraj Santhokee (Mauritius)

Dance

I feel honoured to add to this list, Durban based contemporary dance choreographer and Artistic Director of the Flatfoot Dance Company, Ms. LLIANE LOOTS who has introduced me to a refreshing new chapter in dance opening my body, mind and spirit to new spaces and possibilities.

India

Vocal

Pt. Sudhindra Bhaumik (BVB)
Smt Shashikala Kaikini (BVB)
Pt. Murli Manohar Shukla (Pvt)
Smt. Shampa Pakrashi (Pvt)

Sitar

Smt. Stuti Dey (BVB)
Ustad Rafat Khan (BVB)

Tabla

Shri Udayraj Karpur (BVB)

Kathak

Sushri Madhurita Sarang (PVT)

My personal vision

I firmly believe that a thorough classical dance training provides a strong foundation which allows the contemporary artist who thinks deeply, to present work that not only informs and entertains, but also enlightens.

Within the parameters of the classical I have experienced sublime spiritual bliss; this has allowed me to share my artistic impulses and improvisations with my audience.

The most precious commodity in the life of an artiste, who wishes to create with conviction and communicate truthfully with his audience, is time. Time provides the artiste with the space in which to complete the amazing journey towards self-realization and artistic evolution. Time dedicated to the art form, allows the dancer to engage with a process which constantly expands technique while nourishing the artistic spirit; keeping the artist satisfied and motivated.

Following the rigorous technical training (for which there is absolutely no shortcut) the technique and artist merge as one. It is this unity which sparks the magic during a performance; it creates the tangible sense of spontaneity and immediacy between artist and rasika. After many years of riyaz (devoted practice) one is blessed with the humbling opportunity of approaching perfection. Riyaz becomes that unquenchable thirst that keeps the artist searching through his Sadhana, during this lifetime and beyond.

As a Kathakar I wish to share that my experience of Kathak is far more than just a dance form; it has shaped the way I look at the world around me, it has made me a student of life and also a student for life. Complete surrender to the art that I cherish has blessed me and I relish every single day of my existence.

What is dance if not the ultimate prayer to the Divine within?

My approach to creativity

I am very privileged to have been gifted with a deep affinity for the scriptures and the rich pantheon of the Deities coupled with the ancient art of storytelling known as Kathavachan. For Kathavachan to be effectively communicated I make judicious use of hasta mudras, charis, mandalas, sthankas etc. as prescribed in Abhinay Darpana by Nandikeshwar; this has impacted greatly on my personal style and approach to Abhinaya in Kathak.

I also, in my dancing, celebrate the ‘complexities and play’ of rhythm which dominate Kathak today. I believe that striking a balance between the abstract and the interpretative is what constitutes the essence of ‘classical’.

My creative works are specific to a personal inspiration, an idea or experience I have had and they reflect my perceptions of that particular phase of my journey. My choreographed pieces speak to me as a unique gem would speak to a collector of jewels; they are linked with a thread which is my passion for dance; my ‘necklace of jewels’ is not yet complete and I know there are many more exciting revelations waiting to be discovered in the future.

In a country where Indian culture is largely dominated and sometimes defined by what we see in Bollywood movies, I recognize my purpose to preserve and propagate the purity of Shastriya Sangeet in South Africa and to enlighten those ready to receive this gyan. My institute, Kala Darshan, has proved to be the ideal vehicle to accomplish this and I feel blessed to share this space with students and parents who identify with my vision.

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