Tickets available at https://tarangini30th.brownpapertickets.com

Tarangini School of Kathak Dance is marking its 30th anniversary milestone with a two-day show titled Samanaya — “Coming Together.” Samanaya is dedicated to the memory of the Kathak legend, late Padmavibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. In addition to showcasing 200+ Tarangini students, the anniversary production will feature (pending final visa approvals) five eminent Kathak dancers from India: Ragini Maharaj, Durgesh Gangani, Vishal Krishna, and Mamta Maharaj, led by Vidushi Saswati Sen.

Program for Saturday, May 13

The show will begin with part one of Krishna Varnana, which features Tarangini students describing the various attributes of Lord Krishna through different songs.

Next, Tarangini’s senior dancers and Artistic Director Smt. Anuradha Nag will present Krishna-Viraha-Sphurti, a production that explores three phases of life in Vrindavan: from the joyful moments of togetherness with Krishna, to the sorrow and viraha experienced after he left Vrindavan — and ending with the ultimate liberation of Radha and the gopis in a Krishna Samadhi, achieving a state of pure bhakti.

The evening will conclude with the first part of Anubandhana, uniting three lineages and gharanas of Kathak. Each gharana has its unique strength, beauty, and intricacies -- but here we are bringing them together under the oneness of Kathak. Saturday’s show will feature a performance by Ragini Maharaj, granddaughter of legendary Pt. Birju Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana; Durgesh Gangani, grandson of legendary Pt. Sundarlal Gangani of the Jaipur gharana; and Vishal Krishna, grandson of the legendary Smt. Sitara Devi of the Banaras gharana.

Program for Sunday, May 14

The performance will begin with part two of Krishna Varnana, which features Tarangini students describing the various attributes of Lord Krishna through different songs.

Next, Tarangini’s senior dancers and Artistic Director Smt. Anuradha Nag will present Krishna-Viraha-Sphurti, a production that explores three phases of life in Vrindavan: from the joyful moments of togetherness with Krishna, to the sorrow and viraha experienced after he left Vrindavan — and ending with the ultimate liberation of Radha and the gopis in a Krishna Samadhi, achieving a state of pure bhakti.

The evening will conclude with the second part of Anubandhana, a performance by two luminaries of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak: Vidushi Saswati Sen, senior most disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj; and Mamta Maharaj, daughter of Pt. Birju Maharaj.