Purnima Pande

🪔 About

Born on July 23, 1946, in Almora, Uttarakhand, Dr. Purnima Pande is a distinguished Kathak exponent with a profound academic and performance career. She holds a PhD in Kathak from Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, and has achieved Nritya Nipun in Kathak from Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapeeth, Lucknow. Her comprehensive musical education also includes a Sangit Visharad in vocal music from Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapeeth and a Sangit Prabhakar in tabla from Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lucknow. Dr. Pande received extensive training in both the Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas of Kathak, learning from eminent gurus such as M.S. Kallianpurkar, J. Vikramsinghe, Lachoo Maharaj, and Birju Maharaj. Her career has seen her hold significant administrative and academic positions, including Chairman of the U.P. Sangeet Natak Academy, Advisor to the Department of Culture, Uttarakhand, and Vice Chancellor of both Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, and Bhatkhande Music Institute. She founded 'Abhivyakti – The Expression,' a society dedicated to the promotion of culture. A prolific scholar, Dr. Pande has authored books such as "Yugadrashta - Kathakacharya" and "Pandit Mohan Rao Kallianpurkar." Her doctoral thesis explored 'A Comparative Study - Flamenco of Spain and Kathak of India.' Doordarshan Kendra, Lucknow, has extensively documented her life and work as a Kathak artist for its archives. She has also directed and produced several dance-dramas. Dr. Pande has represented India internationally, including at the International World Fair in Montreal, Canada, around 1971, and has taught Kathak to foreign students in Guyana. In December 2023, she presented on the 'Katha Vaachan Parampara' at a Kathak seminar. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award (2022), State Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Universal Award for Significant Contribution to Society, Gold Medal, Scholarships.