Sudarshan Dheer

🪔 About

Sudarshan Dheer was an Indian classical Kathak dancer and guru who significantly contributed to the art form in both India and the United Kingdom. Hailing from Punjab, he initially settled in Mumbai, where he received training in Kathak from Ashiq Hussain of the Benaras Gharana and Hazarilal, who taught at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He also collaborated with renowned Kathak maestro Gopi Krishna for a period in Mumbai. Dheer began teaching Kathak at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai in the early 1950s. He was known for his energetic performances, particularly his tandava, a style associated with the Benaras gharana. Dheer was also involved in dance beyond classical performances. In 1956, he participated in "Dekh Teri Bambai," a modern dance drama produced by the Indian National Theater and choreographed by Parvati Kumar, where he notably performed Kathak as a policeman controlling traffic. He also danced in several Hindi films and one English film. Later in his career, Sudarshan Dheer moved to the United Kingdom, where he continued to teach Kathak in cities like London, Slough, and Glasgow. He taught at the London branch of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. During his time in the UK, he choreographed "Meera," the first dance drama for the Bhavan in the UK, featuring his daughter Rashmi Dheer in the titular role. His students in the UK included accomplished Kathak exponent Subodh Rathod. A letter from 1977 mentions his organization, "Nritya Sadhna." Sudarshan Dheer's wife, Jaya Dheer, was also a notable dancer, being the first to learn Odissi from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in Mumbai. He performed with his daughter Rashmi in London and across Europe. A Film Division documentary showcased his dance alongside other Kathak stalwarts like Roshan Kumari, Uma Sharma, and Damayanti Joshi. Sudarshan Dheer passed away on October 3, 2015, after a prolonged illness, survived by his wife Jaya and daughters Rashmi and Rachana.