Abhay Shankar Mishra is one of the leading
exponents of Kathak dance in the UK and in
the world today. A mesmerizing performer, dynamic
teacher, and creative choreographer of Kathak,
Abhay currently lives and works in London.
Born into a family steeped in musical tradition
and trained under world-renowned Gurus, namely
Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj, Smt Urmila
Nagar Ji and late Pandit Pandey Maharaj, Abhay
had the unique experience of learning all three
of the major Gharanas of Kathak, i.e., Lucknow,
Jaipur, and Banaras. He draws on his vast experience
to achieve a beautiful blend of all three Gharanas
in his work.
He has performed internationally in Germany,
Austria, France, North Korea and in South Africa.
He also performed in Madrid, Spain, Italy at
the Indian High Commission - duet with a leading
flamenco dancer, Anna.
Career
Highlights I Key Performances
2 March
2007
Workshop and
Performance at the Destination Travel Show
in Birmingham, organised by Akademi, along
with his wife Kakoli Shankar Mishra
17
Feb 2007
Choreographed
and performed as leading dancer in ballet
Dashavtar at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan London
Centre, well attended 2 performances, TV
coveredge by Zee TV, Deepam TV and Asian
Net etc..
25
Aug 2006
Performed along
with Kakoli Shankar Mishra at Shree Satya
Sai International Center in Delhi, organised
by Sumadhur Hamsadhwani
April-May
2006
Principal
dancer and soloist in West End Production
of Gopi Warrier's
The Tenth Incarnation (at the Courtyard
Theatre, Covent Gdrden) - Poetry -and
Kathak dance in an innovative format
26 April
2006
Performed
in 'Darpan', a performance in memory of
tabla legend Ustad Allarakha at Q'ueen
Elizabeth Hall, South Bank
Sept
2005
Choreographed
and performed (alongside dance partner
Kakoli Shankar Mishra) a full length Kathak
recital at the prestigious Kamani auditorium
in New Delhi - attended by over 500 people
including Pandit Birju Maharaj ji himself.
Excellent reviews in national press.
June
2005
Visualised,
choreographed and performed in 'Prarambh',
a two hour long Kathak recital at London's
Bhavan Centre, with Kakoli Shankar Mishra
April
2005
Choreographed
2 Kathak pieces, performed by my students
for His Royal Highness, Prince Charles,
the Prince of Wales & Her Royal Highness,
The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Mountbatten-Windsor,
at London's Bhavan Centre
Feb
2005
Choreographed
Katha Kathak Ki - a 2-hour long Kathak
ballet, performed in London by over 50
of my students. Extensive media coverage
in newspapers, radio and on TV.
March
2003
Performance
in Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall,
London, with Bharat Natyam dancer
Nina Rajrani
March
2001
Performed
at Khajurao Dance Festival with my troupe
from Kathak Kendra, N. Delhi
(1st half was performed by Swapna Sundari,
2° half was my performance)
1998.1999
Fellowship
from Government of India's Ministry of
Human Resource Development for 2 years
of research into 3 main Gharanas of Kathak
Performed for Prime Minister and President
of India to commemorate 50 years of
1997
Independence
(with Drishtikon D`ance Foundation, New
Delhi) - Live telecast in 156
countries
Nov
2003
Yoga
Nrittya -demonstrating relationship
between Yoga and Kathak - London
1998
Ras
Fuhar - a show based on portrayal
of the 6 seasons through dance -
N. Delhi
Vrikhsa
Vyathaa
Performance
based on the Green Revolution, performed
by students of Sawan Public School -
N. Delhi
Copyright 2006 Abhay Shankar Mishra
, Kathak Dancer, and Creative Choreographer of Kathak