Raghav Raj Bhatt is a renowned Kathak dancer, sketch artist[1] and folk and tribal arts expert.[2] He is the prime disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj Ji.[3][4] His solo, duet and group productions have been staged at numerous prestigious festivals in India and abroad.[5]

Raghav Raj Bhatt

Early life edit

Raghav was born in Hyderabad to Dr Gopal Raj Bhatt,[6] a folk and tribal art revivalist and Vijaya, a home maker.

Personal life edit

Raghav is married[7] to Kathak danseuse, choreographer Mangala Bhatt, who is the senior disciple of Pt Durga Lal Ji. They perform together and continue to take their passion for arts forward through their learning centre - Aakruti Kathak Kendra. They live in Hyderabad, India.

Career edit

 
Mangala & Raghav Raj Bhatt receiving the State Award from K Chandrasekhar Rao

Raghav was selected on a national scholarship to learn from Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj Ji. Encouraged by his father, he moved to Delhi to train at Kathak Kendra under the aegis of Maharaj Ji. After completing his Visharad in Kathak, Raghav excelled as a dancer, performing in almost all of his major dance drama and classical productions in India and abroad.

Taking inspiration from his father, Raghav also is closely involved with folk & tribal arts projects.[8] His efforts have been recognised by numerous institutions and government bodies such as Sangeet Natak Akademi, Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, Indian Council for Cultural Relations,[9][10] Ministry of Culture,[11] Department of Language & Culture, Govt of Telangana, etc.[12]

Mangala Bhatt & Raghav Raj Bhatt have received numerous honours for their contribution to classical dance, art and culture. They were conferred the State Award by Chief Minister K Chrandrasekhar Rao and more recently they also received the 13th Guru Deba Prasad Award.[13]

As of 2023, Raghav Raj Bhatt is the Principal of the ST Govt College of Music and Dance.[14][15]

Mangala & Raghav Raj Bhatt have been conferred with the prestigious Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for their lifetime contribution to the field of Kathak.

Books edit

Ang Kavya by Pt Birju Maharaj - credited for his sketches.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Murthy, Neeraja (5 September 2014). "Saying it with sketches". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  2. ^ "An enchanting evening dedicated to aesthetic folk art forms from Telangana and Rajasthan - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  3. ^ J, Bansari trivedi (28 December 2018). "Captivated by Kathak". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj enthralls city". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Around The Classical Indian Arts Scene in Vancouver, 2018". AAJ Magazine. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. ^ "An enchanting evening dedicated to aesthetic folk art forms from Telangana and Rajasthan - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. ^ Bhandaram, Vishnupriya (14 February 2013). "Standing foot". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  8. ^ AuthorTelanganaToday. "When folk art held fort". Telangana Today. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  9. ^ India, The Hans (13 November 2015). "25 city artistes to perform in Russia". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  10. ^ India, The Hans (13 November 2015). "25 city artistes to perform in Russia". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Kathak DanceRaghav Raj Bhatt With Students(JNCC Moscow)DANCE About KRISHNA. - смотреть видео онлайн". unitnsk.ru. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  12. ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi (24 January 2020). "Well presented Aaradhana". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  13. ^ Bureau, Odisha360 com. "13th Guru Debaprasad Award Festival – 2019 | Odisha 360 - News, Events and Complete Information About the State". Retrieved 18 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi (24 January 2020). "Well presented Aaradhana". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Principal's Message – Sri Thyagaraja Government College of Music & Dance". Retrieved 18 May 2020.