Kumkum Dhar

🪔 About

Kumkum Dhar, born on February 4, 1956, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is a distinguished Indian classical Kathak dancer and teacher. She received her rigorous training under the renowned Kathak maestro Lachhu Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana, enrolling at Kathak Kendra in Lucknow for her advanced studies. Dhar debuted on stage in 1972, embarking on a performance career spanning over five decades, during which she has presented numerous solo recitals and ballets across India and in at least 15 countries, including the USA, UK, Egypt, Kuwait, Mexico, Guatemala, and Bangladesh. An exponent of both 'Tandava' and 'Lasya' modes of Kathak, Dhar is celebrated for her expressive 'Bhava' and 'Abhinaya', honed through a significant stint in theatre. Beyond her performance career, she has made substantial contributions to Kathak pedagogy and institutional development. She served as the Dean of the Faculty of Dance and later as the Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Lucknow. Currently, she holds the position of Chairman of the Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan under the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture. Academically accomplished, Dhar holds a Bachelor of Arts (1974), a Master of Arts (1976) from Lucknow University, a Sangeet Visharad degree, and a Doctorate in Economics, having also worked as an economist for 25 years. She is recognized as a Top-grade artist of Doordarshan and an 'Outstanding Artist' of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Kumkum Dhar has trained over 800 disciples in the Guru-Shishya tradition, fostering the next generation of Kathak artists. Awards & Honours: Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994), Yash Bharati Samman (2015), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Kathak (2020), Bharat Muni Award (2024).