"Rendezvous with Antarang- Leena Ketkar "

Leena Ketkar

Leena Ketkar is one of the senior-most disciples of Guru Smt. Shamatai Bhate, the distinguished Kathak exponent from Pune, Maharashtra, India. Having topped the Master's Degree from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, Leena has carved out a defining position as an accomplished dancer. She has been running her own dance institute for classical kathak, Mudra Kathak Nrityalaya, & through a combination of dedication, technical expertise and undying passion, she has mentored many students. She has also been teaching the students in Germany & USA for last few years.

The winner of the prestigious Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award, Leena has consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity and explored a range of choreographies, right from Tarana Maalika and the presentation of a story, Lacchi ani Mor to transliterating poems from Marathi literature through the medium of dance. In the span of her remarkable career as a dancer, She has worked with many musicians on different themes like Swarakamalanjali,Oorja, Bhairavi-darshan, Amoorta, etc. Two years ago,she partaked in the performance of Maunam Sarvartha Sadhanam, a presentation of a proverb-based choreography in Madame Menaka Choreographic Movement - revealing the inner strength and peace derived from 'mauna' or silence. Being experimentative, Leena has explored the character of Karna as a DheerPrashant Nayak in the choreography - ' Karna - Tejman Putra'. She has worked on & exprimented with the aesthetics & mathematics of various Taal structures & formed a new Taal Anaam of 7 beats & a quarter ( Sawwa Saat Maatras ).

Anatarng Team has interviewed her and here is the summary

What makes you smile the most?

Anything from a toddler trying to balance, to a butterfly circling on a flower, to the silver lined clouds make me smile as all of these are the most divine creations of God and they make me realise that life is beautiful..

What music makes you cry?

Any music which touches my soul makes me cry instantaneously. Being a classical Kathak dancer, the compositions having a sad feel make me cry even on the stage or in the rehearsals as well. Apart from that, just listening to Shobhatai Gurtu's thumri 'Yaad Piya Ki Aye' or Jagjeet Singh's gazal 'Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho..' or Lata Didi's 'Lag Ja gale..' and many more songs have such an intensity to touch my heart. Being a born & brought up Punekar, and regular to Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav, the rendition by Guruji Pt. Firoz Dastur ji of 'Gopala Meri Karuna..' at the end of the mahotsav makes me feel weak deep down.. Really, I feel, music has all the evoking power for your innermost feelings and emotions.

What little thing makes you the most grateful to be alive?

Being alive itself is the biggest thing. In this pandemic, we all are experiencing the worst fear of death. 

When I watch a dry leaf, aimlessly falling down from a tree, I feel, such should not be my end. 

When I watch a spider, watching out his prey stuck in the web, I feel sad for the last struggle of the prey.

When I open my eyes after a thoughtless deep sleep and see the first streak of light, I feel grateful to be alive.

On hard days, what motivates you to get up and start your day?

The thought of 'Riyaz' that is my regular dance practice which gives me immense pleasure & satisfaction and motivates me to get up and tap my feet on the dance floor.

How do you find strength when you are going through hardships?

My dancing is my worship to God. Even the thought of dance gives me strength. Being quite a strong person, I believe my dedication to my work, my Art has always helped me through thick & thin. Surrender yourself to whatever work you do with full conviction and you forget all worries. Change is the only constant. 

What family member do you call when you have good news to share?

I call my daughter Jui, to share my happiness. She has been a bundle of joy for 15 years now. I am a single parent. So being full of life, she teaches me the ways of her generation. We share our happiness, problems, everything. I am happy that we really have the best bonding.

Who inspires you to live your best life?

My father Mr. Prabhakar Ketkar, C.A. has been my idol throughout my life. He is in his 80's and is still practicing Chartered Accountancy in his firm. His punctuality and faith in work is impeccable. I wish I would be dancing in my 80's just like him. Secondly, my Guru Shamatai Bhate is an immense source of inspiration. She taught me the posture, the confidence, the grace, and the rhythm of my life. 

When you have to confront someone do you choose to stand strong, or to not say anything at all?

I stand strong to put my point in a stable tone, as I give enough time to analyse, think and reach to a conclusion before I take a stand on any matter. I am extremely patient about people around me and I have complete faith in myself that I am a good person to the core. These things lead me to a strong stand. 

What person made you believe in love?

Funnily enough, not any person but tales of Lord Krishna made me believe in true love. 

By the tradition of Kathak, we, the dancers at times play Raasa with Krishna, play his dedicated lover Radha, depict and portray his mother Yashoda as well as Natkhat (Naughty) Krishna and the Gopis. In bhajans for the Lord, we get immersed in Madhura Bhakti for him. Thus, these tales make me believe in all sorts of Love. 

Do you believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason?

Yes, I believe in fate but I believe in 'Karmayoga' more. One should go on putting in more & more efforts and not waiting for the results. Like it is said in Bhagvad Geeta - 'Karmanyewadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadaachana !!' 

(।।कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।।)

What makes you most proud of yourself?

The appalause when I am on the stage, for my choreography, my performance make me feel proud of myself. It proves that I can share the joy I get from my dancing, with the audience in front. Additionally, two years back, at the age of 42 when I topped Masters degree with Kathak Dance, I really felt proud of myself. 

When in a crisis, do you act calmly or do you automatically freak out?

I generally keep calm and my reactions are not instantaneous on major issues. But yes, I am an emotional person so happenings stir me a lot. It takes me mountain efforts, to be firm in such situations.

What keeps you up at night?

I am an avid reader so interesting books keep me awake. And when I am conceiving a new theme for my choreography, it keeps me exhilarated day & night. I once have woken up my 12 year old daughter at 1:30 a.m. to teach her a new step from the choreography I was working on then - Maunam Sarvartha Saadhanam.

If there was one charity you could donate to, which would you choose?

I am a dancer. This whole body is my medium, my tool, so I know the value of each & every part of this machine, so I plan to donate organs. Also I would like to perform for the diseased and suffering people. 

What is the one quality you need in a significant other?

Honesty and kind heart.

On your best days, who do you want standing next to you?

My daughter, Jui.

What is the one word that perfectly explains who you are?

Kathak Dancer.

Where do you envision yourself in five years?

In next 5 years, I would be teaching Indian classical Kathak dance to happy, enthusiastic students all over. I have a list of classic themes which I wish to explore through my dance so I would be presenting them. My daughter is very keen to pursue dancing so we both would be doing duets by then, sharing the stage. 

What is your message to our Antarang women readers? 

I believe dance opens the gates to the happy world. Every woman should dance and feel the freedom within. It teaches you to fly without wings, bloom like a flower and shine as a precious pearl. You have every right to explore your grace.. Enjoy !!