kathak dancer performer
performer
choreographer
trainer
A dynamic Kathak artist applauded on the global stage, Ishwari Deshpande widely recognised as one of the leading Kathak dancers of her generation. Born in a musical family with an innate passion for Kathak, Ishwari has captivated audiences worldwide.
Since her first performance on stage at the age of 4, Ishwari has had over 25 years of training from her mother, the renowned Kathak artist, Guru Prerana Deshpande. In addition to celebrating the precious pieces from repertoire pieces of her illustrious lineage, she is a choreographer of deep thought gaining creative appreciation from dancers, linguists, and theatre scholars alike.
Ishwari is a dancer of rare grace and creativity with both familial and Guru-Shishya lineage. Her performances reflect a maturity that transcends age, balancing classical purity with subtle innovation. She is particularly admired for her clarity in nritta (pure dance), dynamic stage presence especially with live musical accompaniment, and intelligent interpretations of traditional compositions. Ishwari continues to further her art through performance, choreography, and training and mentoring new and advanced dancers. She is also directly affiliated to the renowned Nrityadham School of Performing Arts, founded by Guru Prerana Deshpande.
On Stage
Hailed as a child prodigy, Ishwari has had a long performance career across illustrious venues and platforms in India like Bharat Bhavan Bhopal, IIC New Delhi, Kathak Mahotsav, NCPA, Goa Kala Academy, Jaipur, and many more. Internationally, Ishwari's dance has enraptured audiences' in USA, Canada, Southern and Eastern Africa. Some notable platforms are Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (NYC), LearnQuest Festival (Boston), MIT Killian Hall (Cambridge), and diplomatic offices representing India under ICCR.
Ishwari's performances have garnered high praise from audiences and critics alike. Senior Gurus and maestros from the field of Indian dance and music have recognised her talents since childhood, continuing to do so even today. She has also received exceptionally noteworthy reviews from renowned dance critic and scholar, the late Padma Shri Dr Sunil Kothari.
Honours
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The prominent Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar prize at 10 years of age
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First Prize of 'Best Young Dancer' title by the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj in Kolkata in the presence of then Governor Hon'ble Gopalkrishna Gandhi in 2008 at age 12
This Golden Talent Contest by Pt Ravi Kichlu Foundation was also adjudged by veteran artists like Vidushi Girija Devi, Vidushi Saswati Sen among others. This was followed by years of encouragement from Pt Birju Maharaj ji till 2017 through her performances under Kalashram.
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Taal Tapasvi Pt Madhukar Kothare Smruti Uttung Dance Scholarship in 2017
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The prestigious CCRT Scholarship by the Government of India in 2018
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Doordarshan Graded Artist
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Young India Fellow (Ashoka University) in 2018 for her aim to pursue multidisciplinary studies to enhance her artistic pursuits.
Background and Training
Born in 1996 in Pune into a family of artists, Ishwari's connection to classical dance and music was always a natural calling. She is the daughter of internationally acclaimed Kathak artist, Guru Prerana Deshpande. Her father is the renowned Tabla virtuoso Pt Supreet Deshpande. Her grandfather is one of the most prolific Tabla artists and classical vocalists of his time, Pt Kiran Deshpande. Pt S. B. Deshpande, her great-grandfather was a pioneer of Indian classical music and co-founder of the Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyalaya in Jabalpur, while her great-granduncle was a co-founder of Gandharva Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. With more senior relatives actively involved in the arts, Ishwari's childhood created the foundation of a passion not just for Kathak, but of the substance and essence of Indian arts.
Ishwari inherited her love for Kathak from her mother, Prerana. In her very early years, she spent time in the background of Prerana's trainings with her Guru, the legendary Kathak artist Pta Dr Rohini Bhate in Pune. Thus, Guru Rohini Bhate's blessings and encouragement were bestowed upon her very early on. She also frequented dance events, observing some of the topmost artists like the legend Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj, Taalyogi Pt Suresh Talwalkar, Guru Shama Bhate, all of whom have observed and blessed Ishwari's talent since childhood.
Ishwari's rigorous training under Guru Prerana has evolved over 25 years from technique and precision to grace, aesthetics, rhythmic complexity, emotive expression, and creative thought process. Ishwari has also sought versatile inspiration through workshops by maestros like Pt Birju Maharaj ji, Akram Khan's Classical Intensive (London), Pt Suresh Talwalkar, Guru Shama Bhate, Ustad Taufiq Qureshi, Shri Jayant Kastuar, Guru Prerana Shrimali among others. Ishwari has had intense and immersive training and guidance from Guru Prerana that has allowed her to blossom into a full-fledged artist. Her exposure and observation of a vast variety of other Gurus and dancers has allowed her perspective to broaden and blossom into a dedicated Kathak artists of the new generation.
In addition to her intensive training from her Guru, she holds a Masters in Performing Arts in Kathak from Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. Beyond Kathak, Ishwari also holds a Master of Behavioural and Decision Sciences from University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Economics from Fergusson College, Pune University.