Meet Minhaz- our Kathak teacher
Kathak is one of the main genres of ancient Indian Classical dance and it is traditionally regarded to have originated from the travelling bards of North India referred as Kathakars or storytellers.
Kathak is widely spread in northern parts like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi.
One of the devoted kathak specialist Mr. Minhaz comes from the background of dancers, professionally trained and belongs to a Jaipur Gharana. He has come from the premium leading dance company Drishtikon Dance Foundation in Delhi.
Minhaz started teaching at Sarvam Foundation amid lockdown 2 years ago to all the students at the Vasant Kunj Centre and has a lot to share regarding his experience working at Sarvam Shakti.
He explains that he have been learning kathak since teenage and ever since, the dance studio has been his second home. Through the dance lessons, performance, dramatic make up, costumes and injuries in these years, there have been many lessons that he has learned. Lessons that not only taught him about leading a good life in general, but also how could be successful person at work and always wanted to impart his precious experience with a greater audience. He further adds Sarvam Shakti as a foundation that has allowed him to impart his experience, dance skills and life lessons with the diligent and studious students of Sarvam Shakti.
Discipline is one of the most important lesson which needs to be taught to younger generation which comes from performing and learning kathak. It also comes with class timings, dress code and dancing in sync with fellow classmates.
Minhaz shares that at times students suffer from personal issues as well which gets visible when they come to attend the classes. He used to listen to them all and tries his best to resolve and advice them best as a responsible mentor. The quality of being a good listener is inculcated in him through performing with live musicians, one has to by default, be a good listener. One beat missed and your act can go for a toss. This quality is further imparted in students as well.
He firmly believes in the fact that one should not only ask for help, but should also be readily available when others need a hand. By lending a hand, it not only means helping students around but also motivating and mentoring them when needed. He has not only be a great kathak teacher
but a life coach as well for the students.
