Priya Pawar is reckoned as one of the most famous Kathak and Odissi dancer with a distinct innovativeness. As a fomite and guardian of the Jaipur style of Kathak, she is being appreciated and treasured. She is also conceived as a captivating promoter of Odissi. Priya Pawar`s dance reflects the power, grace and depth of an unsubduable spirit. Priya is rendered as a dancer, who has tremendous natural stage presence, which without effort constitutes a report with her audience.
In her childhood and youth, she was blessed with awards for her performances. At her tender age of 10 years, she fetched her Nritya Vishard (BA) degree from the Bhatkhande Marris Music College, Lucknow. Under the great tutelage of Shombu Maharaj and Mohanroa Kalyanpurkar, she has completed her study. The government of India has awarded her a scholarship to pursue further study on Kathak in the year 1967 at the Kathak Kendra, Delhi. After studying under Guru Sunder Prasad and Kundenlal Gangani, she gained her Nritya Varadhi (MA).
By the time Priya Pawar was already an experienced Kathak dancer. Later on she diversified into the exquisitely sculptural style of Odissi. Under Hare Krishna Behera in Delhi, she studied Odissi in an intensive manner for years. Priya has also bagged the opportunity to be trained under the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra. The ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) has rated Priya Pawar as a `Top Grade` artist since the year1972. Many times she has been sent abroad to represent India as a member of various delegations.
Her career geared up when she took part as a staff artist in a number of dance ballets produced by Birju Maharaj at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra (now Kathak Kendra) in Delhi. For her performances, she has obtained wide applaud and toured all over the world including the Far East, USA, South America, West Indies and Europe. She has given uncounted accomplishments over the years. Some of the illustrious ones are: A Night with Priya Pawar at Watermans, Brentford; Kathak Meets Flamenco at Paul Robeson Theatre, Hounslow; Kathak Meets Flamenco at The Bull, Barnet; Kathak Meets Flamenco at Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall; Danzas Kathak y Odissi at Suristan, Madrid, Spain; Demonstration and Workshop at Under Ground Theatre, Eastbourne; Chaturang at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London with her Pushpalata dancers; Kathak Meets Flamenco at the Compass Theatre, Ickenham; Kathak-Odissi at Dominion Arts & Cultural Centre, Southall; Kathak-Odissi at Sangam Hall, Edgware for Sindhi Community; Kathak-Flamenco for Coin Festival, South Bank, London; Kathak for Respect Festival, Finsbury, London.
Priya Pawar has started teaching by the age of 14. She has been teaching most of her career throughout as a dancer. Priya Pawar has been regarded as the first guru of Odissi dance who had made an impact through her teachings. Bina Patel and Isha Persad, two of her students were awarded the Aditi Scholarship.
In the year 1992, Priya Pawar has established The Pushpalata Academy of Dance & Music at Faridabad, India. Pushpalata means `a cluster of flowers`. During the winter every year Priya visits India and spends time with the Academy. The main aim of the Academy is to nurture the love of music and dance in students in a manner so that they can enrich their lives through the medium. The Academy also aims to produce performers, including that of professionals, who will be an asset to their country. It is regarded as the first classical Indian dance company, which is to be shaped by dancers trained solely in the UK. Some of the projects conducted by the Academy are: The Flute , Chitrangada , Moods & Seasons , Offbeat , Ritu Sangha, Chandalika.
