Malti (Rawat) Shyam

🪔 About

Malti Shyam is a distinguished Kathak exponent of the Lucknow Gharana, celebrated for her refined abhinaya, lyrical grace, and technical precision. Her journey in Kathak began at the age of eleven when she joined Kathak Kendra. She received her initial training under Shrimati Reba Vidyarthi, who imparted to her the fundamental techniques and the expressive language of the dance form. Subsequently, she became a senior-most disciple of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, under whose tutelage she mastered all facets of Kathak. Malti Shyam officially joined Kathak Kendra as a student on January 1, 1988, and has since risen to the esteemed position of Kathak Guru, a role she has held since August 2016. Recognized for her artistic excellence, Malti Shyam is a top-grade artist of Delhi Doordarshan and has been honored as an Outstanding Dancer by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Her extensive career as a performer includes appearances in numerous major national and international dance festivals, such as the Khajuraho Dance Festival, the Festival of India, the Konark Festival, and a cultural evening for BRICS 2026. Beyond her captivating performances, Malti Shyam is a dedicated teacher, choreographer, and researcher. She has focused on choreography and research in recent years, creating diverse dance pieces that showcase her profound understanding and creativity. She is deeply committed to preserving and propagating Kathak through stage performances, lecture-demonstrations, and structured pedagogical methods. Her presentations are particularly noted for their emotive depth, clear narrative, and sensitive interpretations of thumri, bhajan, and traditional Kathak compositions. As a guru, she actively mentors numerous students, including international students from countries like South Africa, emphasizing the profound guru-shishya tradition.