Sanedhip Bhimjee

🪔 About

Sanedhip Bhimjee was a prominent Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Mauritius. Born on March 17, 1970, in Madagascar, he later became a significant figure in the Mauritian dance scene. Bhimjee initially embarked on a career in modeling. His journey into Indian classical dance began at the age of 18 when he started learning Kathak at the Indira Gandhi Institute. A pivotal moment in his artistic development occurred in the 1990s when he encountered Anna Patten, a renowned Kathak dancer. Mesmerized by her artistry, Bhimjee felt that a new dimension of Kathak, which they termed "Mauritian Kathak," could emerge from their combined talents. Anna Patten subsequently became his guru and artistic partner, and together they formed a celebrated dance duo. Bhimjee made his initial stage appearance alongside Pramila Virahsawmy at the Plaza Theatre in Rose Hill, Mauritius, during a Gujarati festival. He was a prolific choreographer and performer, with notable productions including "Nayika au Plaza" (2003), "Shakti Yug" (2005), "Festival International Kreol" (2007), and "Katha'zz" (2010). He also participated in "Sutra of the Lotus". Sanedhip Bhimjee co-founded Art Academy Ltd. in Mauritius with Anna Patten. This institution was established to teach Kathak and to integrate Indian classical dance with other artistic expressions prevalent in Mauritius. Beyond dance, Bhimjee was also recognized for his talents as a painter, a designer of Mughal-inspired clothing, and a poet. He served as a jury member for the television show "Ti Mambo". Sanedhip Bhimjee passed away on June 24, 2014, in Mauritius, at the age of 44, after battling pancreatic cancer. His legacy continues through Art Academy and the unique "Mauritian Kathak" style he helped to cultivate.