Menaka Manch: Baithak

An intimate evening of Indian classical dance and music performed by Bageshree Vaze (Pratibha Arts, Toronto) Bageshree Vaze (Kathak dancer), accompanied by Vineet Vyas on the tabla, will present some unique bandish (rhythmic compositions) in the 14-beat cycle of Dhamar Taal. Before her performance, we will host an hour-long workshop for local dancers to learn from Bageshree herself. This workshop is suitable for dancers of all levels, including intermediate and above. Dancers with training in other styles can also be part of this workshop. Bageshree Vaze wants this baithak with Menaka Dance (Shivani Jatar) to be an opportunity to engage with local artists and share her love for dance and music. Menaka Dance-Shivani Jatar is proud to support this engagement opportunity with an international artist for the dance community in Leeds, as we believe in holding space for different expressions of dance! Programme Dance workshop - 6.30 PM to 7.30 PM Dance performance - 7.30 PM to 8.30 PM (Tickets are inclusive of both workshop and performance) About the artist - Bageshree's first encounter with Indian arts was through her musical education with her father Damodar Vaze. She grew up to learn Bharatnatyam from well-known masters of the style and completed her Arangetram in Michigan, USA. Soon after, she received a fellowship to study the form from Guru T.K.Mahalingam Pillai in Mumbai. Curious about different styles, Bageshree wanted to try Kathak as well. She began training in Kathak with Pandit Birju Maharaj and Jaikishan Maharaj in New Delhi. She holds a Master's degree in Dance from York University, Canada where she explored choreography using the Kathak language. For many decades, she has been using her creativity to educate, create, and promote Indian classical arts through her numerous projects in performance, on film, and in music. She leads Pratibha Arts, an arts organisation meant to enhance the cultural fabric of Canada.