Pandit Ramlal

🪔 About

Pandit Ramlal Bareth, a revered figure in Indian classical dance, is the foremost living exponent of the Raigarh style of Kathak. Born on March 6, 1936, in Raigarh, Madhya Pradesh (now Chhattisgarh), he inherited his artistic legacy from his father, Pandit Kartik Ram, a distinguished Kathak guru of the Raigarh court. His rigorous training began at the age of four under the traditional guru-shishya system, guided by his father, Maharaja Chakradhar Singh (a patron of Kathak), and Pandit Jailal Maharaj, a stalwart of the Jaipur gharana. From his father, he also imbibed the techniques and repertoire of Pandit Achchan Maharaj, a doyen of the Lucknow gharana. Additionally, he received training in tabla and vocal music. Pandit Bareth's illustrious career saw him serve as an artist in the Social Welfare Department from 1956 to 1980. During this period, he established the Chakradhar Sangeet Vidyalaya in Raigarh, dedicated to promoting the Raigarh Kathak style. From 1981 to 2011, he served as a Guru at the Chakradhar Nritya Kendra in Bhopal, where he trained hundreds of students with the aim of evolving the Raigarh Kathak style into a recognized gharana. He also held the position of Reader in the Dance Department at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, guiding numerous disciples and research scholars. Widely recognized for his significant contributions, Pandit Bareth has performed extensively, conducted workshops, and served as an examiner and speaker at various prestigious institutions across India. He co-authored the book 'Raigarh mein Kathak' with his father. Currently residing in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, he continues to provide advanced training to students, ensuring the perpetuation of the Raigarh Kathak tradition. His dedication has been instrumental in establishing the Raigarh Kathak Gharana on national and international platforms. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1996), Chakradhar Samman (2006), Shikhar Samman, Padma Shri (2024), Akademi Ratna (Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship) (2026).