HEMANTIKA: An Enchanting Season of Kathak
A grand celebration of dance, featuring the living legend Padmavibhusan Pandit Birju Maharaj and other internationally renowned artists.

Festival Events:
Performance Day 1: Saturday 18 November at 7PM
Hemantika 2017 is proud to be hosting the European leg of the Kalashram (India) Kathak Contest.
Initiated by Kalashram - the institution of Kathak maestro Padmavibhusan Pandit Birju Maharaj, the competition aims to provide a platform for young, upcoming Kathak dancers to showcase their talent. The second half of the evening will showcase SBDC youth group, a solo by Archita Kumar and other guest groups.
Venue: Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley HA9 7EX
Cost: £15 (£10 under 12). All seating is on a first come first served basis.

Performance Day 2: Sunday 19 November
Matinee show at 2pm: Hanuman
The annual showcase of Sujata Banerjee Dance Academy students. This year’s theme is Lord Hanuman as a symbol of strength, loyalty and friendship. There will also be a performance by the Centre of Advanced Training (Yugavati) Birmingham
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Venue: The Drum at Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 7EX
Cost: £15 (£10 under 12). (SBDC students to contact their dance teacher at class for student concession tickets). All seating is on a first come first served basis.

Evening show at 5pm - The Grand Finale
‘The Journey of Kathak’, an exclusive performance featuring Pandit Birju Maharaj and other notable Kathak artists Saswati Sen, Fasih Ur Rehman and Sujata Banerjee. Produced specially for Hemantika, ‘The Journey of Kathak’ will showcase the history of Kathak through the ages and regions with all its grace and glory.
Time: 5pm-7pm
Venue: The Drum at Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 7EX
Cost: £25 (£15 under 12 and over 60). All seating is on a first come first served basis.

Workshops with Pandit Birju Maharaj
Open workshops for all levels. ​
Level 1 - Children between 8 and 12 years old
Tuesday 14 November, 6pm-7pm
Cost: £15

Level 2 - Children over 12 years, and adults; all applicants should have learnt Kathak for a minimum of 3 years
Wednesday 15 November, 6pm-7pm
Cost: £20

​Level 3 - Children over 12 years, and adults; all applicants should have learnt Kathak for a minimum of 5 years
Thursday 16 November, 6pm-7pm
Cost: £20

Venue for all workshops: Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley HA9 7EX

In Conversation with Pandit Birju Maharaj: 70 Years of Kathak Development
Discussion lead by Sujata Banerjee and Saswati Sen.
Monday 20 November 6.30pm – 8pm
Venue: Nehru Centre, 8 S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 1HF
Tickets are FREE, but booking is essential.

Image credit: Simon Richardson