Pt. Ramlal Bareth

🪔 About

Pandit Ramlal Bareth, a revered figure in Indian classical dance, was born on March 6, 1936, in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, a city known for its cultural heritage. He is the son of the eminent Kathak guru Pt. Kartikram, a prominent dancer in the Raigarh court. Pt. Ramlal began his Kathak training at the tender age of four under the tutelage of his father. His early talent was recognized by Maharaja Chakradhar Singh after a performance in the Raigarh court when he was just ten years old, leading to further training in Kathak dance, tabla, and vocal music with both Pt. Kartikram and Pt. Jailal Maharaj. Pt. Ramlal Bareth is widely regarded as the foremost exponent and the last surviving torchbearer of the distinctive Raigarh style of Kathak, which flourished under the patronage of the Raigarh court. His extensive career saw him serve as an artist in the Social Welfare Department from 1956 to 1980. Subsequently, from 1981 to 2011, he dedicated his expertise as a Kathak Guru at the Chakradhar Nritya Kendra in Bhopal. He also held the position of a Reader at the Indira Kala Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Khairagarh, between 1990 and 1992, where he trained numerous students. Over six decades, Pt. Ramlal Bareth has trained hundreds of disciples, many of whom are now performers and teachers of the Raigarh Kathak style both in India and abroad. He has also contributed to the academic side of dance, serving as an examiner at various prestigious music institutes and universities, and participating in numerous Kathak workshops and seminars to promote the Raigarh style. His commitment to the art form is further evidenced by his co-authorship of the book “Raigarh mein Kathak” with his father. His son, Guru Bhupendra Bareth, continues his legacy by operating the Kartik Kathak Nritya Kendra in Bilaspur. For his profound contributions to Indian classical dance, Pt. Ramlal Bareth has received several esteemed accolades. He was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996. In 2024, he was conferred with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. He is also slated to receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi's highest fellowship, the Akademi Ratna, in 2025. Other recognitions include the Madhya Pradesh Shikar Samman and the Chhattisgarh Chakradhar Samman. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1996), Padma Shri (2024), Akademi Ratna (Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship) (2025), Madhya Pradesh Shikar Samman, Chhattisgarh Chakradhar Samman.