Saswati Sen is a celebrated Kathak Dancer who ranks in the front in the field of Kathak dance. She performs and teaches Kathak with her guru Birju Maharaj. She has been regarded as one of the skilled disciple of Birju Maharaj. Saswati Sen was initiated to Kathak training under the expert guidance of Reba Vidyarthi at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. Today she serves her institution as the leading dancer of Kathak dance. The well known dancer stands tall among all her contemporary dancers in the way she has beautified the Kathak dance with a touch of the traditions and existing approach.
Early guidance of Saswati Sen
Saswati Sen was born to a medical professional"s family but she took dance as her profession in an early age of 6. She has received the Kathak education under Reba Vidyarthi at Kathak Kendra. After that she received the National Scholarship in Performing Arts and graduated to become the prime disciple of Pt. Birju maharaj and it is said that she is the driving force behind Birju Maharaj"s dance school Kalashram which is situated at New Delhi.
When she was selected for the national scholarship that was the time she joined the Medical College in Aligarh. She hated the medical school so much that she started missing the Kathak and fell sick. Then she ended the medical education and opted for anthropology along with the national Scholarship.
Works of Saswati Sen
At her tender age also, Saswati Sen has proved herself to be one of the most discerned Kathak dancer. Later on she has been trained under the great guidance of Birju Maharaj and became one of India`s eminent Kathak dancers. The foundation of her training is combined with innate talent, dedication and persistency. The tradition old knowledge and creativity has been reflected by her performances.
Saswati Sen has given both, the solo and the group performances. She also enjoys compassion in her abhinaya in all her presentations. Saswati Sen with a strong foundation in the Indian classical dance form has managed to acquire a grasp that is comprehensive in nature. Thus the complexities of the dance style have been imbibed within her.
Saswati Sen has been on a standard basis featured in the dance events that were esteemed. She has also choreographed several short and major productions for students in the several workshops in India and abroad. The festivals that took place in USSR, U.K, France, Japan and Germany, she has been invited to participate. To her credit, she has also done experimental choreographic work on a regular basis.
People who have watched Satyajit Ray movie "Kanha Tose Man Haari" might remember her Kathak dance performance along with her guru Birju Maharaj where he sang the song.
Saswati Sen has choreographed several group compositions as well as dance-dramas. Some of her choreographic work includes - Kathak Yatra, Dasavatar, Kartik Vilaas, Kshudita Pashan, Romeo and Juliet, Warna Rang, Musafir, Geed Govind, Jal Yagna, Krishna Katha, Habba Khatun etc.
Saswati has performed comprehensively all around the world and has featured frequently on the National Program of Dance by Doordarshan, India`s national television network. Some of the major festivals she has participated in are - Khajuraho Festival, Khajuraho, and Madhya Pradesh, Qutub Festival, New Delhi, Konark Festival in Orissa, Lucknow Mahotsov Lucknow, Taj Mohotsov in Agra, Dover Lane Conference in Kolkata and many more.
Awards of Saswati Sen
The dancer is a proud recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy Award for 2004-2005 and also the Sanskrit Award, the Shringar Mani Award, the critic"s Recommendation Award.
Future Plans of Saswati Sen
Saswati today is the secretary and the pouring force behind the institution which was her Guru, Pt Birju Maharaj`s dream. Saswati travels widely at home and overseas disseminating the acquaintance she has gained over years of dedication and keeps the Kalashram Kathak community together. She has been very popular as a teacher and has been teaching regularly since 1980. Among her plans one is the desire to work towards popularizing Kathak in Kerala.
