New Delhi: The long-awaited day finally dawned for Khyati Rawat, a disciple of eminent Odissi dancer Guru Jyoti Shrivastava. It was the day of her ‘Manch Pravesh’, a sacred milestone in her dancing career, marking Khyati’s formal graduation as a solo performer.
The honour is bestowed only when a guru is confident that the disciple is ready to hold the stage on her own and present a complete repertoire before a discerning audience.
Organised by Guru Shrivastava’s Vaishali Kala Mandap, in association with India International Centre, Khyati’s dance graduation ceremony was held at CSD Deshmukh Auditorium, Max Muller Marg, New Delhi, on November 11.
The auditorium was filled with eminent gurus, art connoisseurs, guests, fellow dancers, friends and relatives. Within minutes of her performance, it was evident that she is blessed with a flexible torso, expressive eyes with remarkable stage presence and an innate sense of rhythm, qualities every classical dancer aspires to have.
She opened her recital with a Mangalacharan, invoking Lord Krishna through a shloka from Krishna Ashtakam of Shloka Ratnavalli by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This piece portrays Krishna as the compassionate guide who uplifts his devotees, forgives their shortcomings, and gently removes their burdens. Choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, set to Raga Desh and Tala Ektaali, music by Guru Sukant Kumar Kundu and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, the Mangalacharan was offered as a prayer seeking divine blessings for this first solo presentation.
Executed it with great precision and confidence, it instantly struck a chord with the audience.
She followed it up with a ‘Sabhinaya Pallavi’, seamlessly weaving together nritta and abhinaya. Transitioning from ‘Kalavati Pallavi’, set to Raga Kalavati and Tala Ektaali to an abhinaya piece ‘Sangini Re Chahan’, choreographed by Guru Deba Prasad Das and music by Guru Bankim Sethi and later restructured by Late Guru Shrinath Raut, Khyati portrayed a Mugdha Nayika softly drawing her sakhi into the joy of witnessing Krishna’s enchanting presence.
She brought the narrative to life, with precise footwork and nuanced expressions, leaving the audience spellbound.
This was followed by ‘Raase Harimiha’, taken from 12th century poet Jayadeva’s magnum opus Gita Govinda, set to Raga Bhageshwari and Tala Ektaali, choreographed by Guru Deba Prasad Das with music by Guru Balkishan Das and later reconstructed by Guru Shrinath Raut. Here, she transformed herself into a Proshitabhartruka Radha, recounting Krishna’s raas with the gopis while herself burning in the fire of separation.
Her exploration of Shringara and Viraha rasas was evocative and deeply moving, drawing prolonged applause.
She concluded her recital with ‘Astashambhu’, set to Raga Raga Malika and Tala Ektaali and Triputa, choreographed by Guru Deba Prasad Das with music by Guru Bankim Sethi, and later restructured by Late Guru Shrinath Raut. Here she depicted Lord Shiva’s eight divine manifestations and culminating in Ardhanarishwara with clarity and precision.
Across all items, the nuances of the art form she has imbibed was shown through, casting a magical spell on the art lovers who remained glued to their seats. The precision and perfection in her body and foot movements, hasta mudras and stage presence were impeccable, what would be expected from a professional dancer.
Khyati began her Odissi journey at the age of nine under Guru Jyoti Shrivastava at Vaishali Kala Kendra, Noida. She has also had the privilege of learning from Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and carries forward the legacy of Late Guru Shrinath Raut.
Balancing art and academics with equal dedication, Khyati is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Forensic Science at the National Forensic Sciences University, Tripura campus.She has performed at several prestigious festivals including the Odissi International Dance Festival (Bhubaneswar), Delhi International Arts Festival (IHC), Chausathi Yogini Mahotsav, and Bharat Parv (Red Fort), among others. She has also assisted her guru in notable festivals such as Mukteshwar Dance Festival and Odissi International.
Kalasanskruti wishes Khyati a luminous future as she steps confidently into the world of Odissi dance.
