Roshan Datye

🪔 About

Roshan Datye, born on August 24, 1948, in Nashik, India, is a renowned Kathak performer, teacher, choreographer, and scholar. Her journey in Kathak began at the age of six, receiving her initial training for ten years from Guru Haider Shaikh in Nashik. In 1978, she moved to Pune and became a dedicated disciple of the eminent Kathak dancer Rohini Bhate at the Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy, where she continued her rigorous training for three decades. During this period, Datye also contributed as a teacher at her guru's esteemed academy. In 1980, Roshan Datye established her own institution, the Rochit Kathak Akademi, in Pune's Bibwewadi area, where she continues to serve as its director and a principal trainer. The academy aims to impart traditional Kathak training, preserving the dance form's beauty and the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition). The curriculum at Rochit Kathak Akademi aligns with graduate and postgraduate Kathak programs offered by universities such as Savitribai Phule Pune University and Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth. Beyond her performance and teaching career, Datye has made significant academic contributions to Kathak. In 2004, she was awarded a fellowship by the Indian government's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This fellowship supported her extensive research into the interconnectedness of Indian sculptures, medieval miniature paintings, and Kathak, seeking to revive lost elements of the dance form. Her research culminated in the book "Kathak-Aadikathak" and a corresponding two-hour dance presentation, which juxtaposes dance poses with ancient temple sculptures. Roshan Datye is also a prolific choreographer, having created various compositions including mythological dance-dramas and choreographies with social messages. Notable works include "Kathak Kaleidoscope," "Space," and "Nari Shakti: Kasturba Gandhi," a Kathak ballet presented at the 75th All India Women's Conference. In 2019, she revived her Kathak ballet "Srushti," inspired by the shalbhanjika motif, to highlight environmental concerns. Her contributions have earned her recognition, including the Pandita Rohini Bhate Puraskar and the Pandit Basant Rao Deshpande Puraskar. Awards & Honours: Fellowship by the Indian government's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2004), Pandita Rohini Bhate Puraskar, Pandit Basant Rao Deshpande Puraskar, Special recognition from Smt. Sudha Murthy.