- Students of Ved Institute of Performing Arts, Mumbai gave
an outstanding Kathak performance at a Guru Purnima function organised by Gita
Ashram that was held at Ravindra Natya Mandir.
On the deeply sacred
occasion of Guru Purnima, Ved Institute of Performing Arts, under the divine
direction of Guru Aditi Yadav, presented a moving tribute at Ravindra Natya Mandir,
Mumbai for the followers of Geeta Ashram, a spiritually oriented service organization.
“Guru is not outside you, but the light that awakens within you.”
This was not merely a dance recital. It was a spiritual offering of body, mind, and soul—at the feet of the Guru
The performance opened with powerful shlokas, each one an invocation—each movement with a mantra. The dancers offered their devotion through:
1. Karagre Vasate Lakshmi – invoking the Goddess of wealth and auspiciousness resting in one’s hands.
2. Samudra Vasane Devi – bowing to the Earth Goddess who holds oceans and mountains.
3. Vasatu Vasudevam – surrendering to Lord Vishnu, the all-pervading Divine.
These verses were not just recited—they were danced with grace, stillness, and sacred energy, touching the hearts of every soul in the hall.
Next came the mesmerising “Madhurashtakam”
– “Adharam Madhuram, Vadanam Madhuram…,” describing every aspect of Lord Krishna as madhuram—sweet. The dancers, through delicate abhinaya and fluid footwork, brought this sweetness alive on stage. It was a tender reminder of the Guru as Krishna—the one who guides with love.
Following this was a
traditional Guru Charan
Vandana in Kathak which is a composition by Padmavibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj ji, performed by disciples and choreographed by their guru Aditi Yadav ji. The rhythm of the ghungroos echoed the heartbeat of devotion, each spin bowing to the Guru’s feet, where all journeys begin and end.
Next came senior disciples, who presented the heart-touching bhajan “Jaoon Tore Charan Kamal”, originally sung by respected Lata Mangeshkar Tai.
Their performance was soaked in emotion—expressing the yearning of the soul to remain forever at the Guru’s lotus feet. It was not performance—it was a prayer.
The disciples wove together stories that reflected the timeless power of learning guided by the Guru. From Ekalavya’s sacrifice for Dronacharya, to Hanuman receiving wisdom from Surya Dev, and Savitri Bai Phule’s relentless fight to educate others. Every moment honoured those who gave everything in the pursuit of knowledge.
The piece concluded with a tribute to India’s scientific triumph through ISRO, reminding us that with the blessings of the Guru, sky is not the limit.
And then, the most
awaited moment arrived.
Guru Aditi Yadav, alongside her devoted assistant Madhu, graced the stage to present the spiritually intense and deeply philosophical Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya. This piece struck at the very essence of life’s truth:
“You may have wealth, children, and do charity…
But if you haven’t paused to look upon your Guru with love, you have lost the true meaning. ”f living.”
In that moment, time stood still. The audience wasn’t watching—they were witnessing. Witnessing bhakti made visible through dance. Surrender made real through stillness.
The silence after their final posture was more powerful than applause—it was the silence of touched souls
“The Guru is not just a teacher of art—
The Guru is the remover of darkness.
The one who breaks the illusion and leads us to the eternal.”
This evening reminded every soul present that dance is not just about movement—it is about stillness.
It is about letting go.
It is about bowing down in gratitude to
the one who gave us vision, rhythm, discipline, and light.
Under the luminous guidance of Guru Aditi Yadav, Ved Institute of Performing Arts offered not just a performance—but a sacred pilgrimage through music, movement, and mantra.
The dance performance brought out the role of Guru so well. It left the audience saying, ‘Yeah Dil Mange More.’
Written by senior student Anushree Devarashetty
To read all articles
on Guru Purnima
To read all
articles on Indian Dance Forms