07 October,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Samruddhi Trivedi
Kathak troupe KathakBeats. Pics courtesy/The Baithak Festival
There is something wonderfully alive about the baithak tradition. No cavernous auditorium, no spectacle competing for attention - an artiste, their craft and an open minded audience. Dvaita-The Baithak Festival takes that spirit and gives it a contemporary pulse as The Taal Tribe celebrates its sixth year.
The first evening will bring together classical music and movement. Santoor artiste Ninad Adhikari will perform with tabla player Shrutisheel Uddhav, followed by Hindustani vocalist Ayesha Mukherjee and harmonium player Varad Sohani. Odissi artiste Sharanya Ghosh will add a graceful change of pace to the line-up.
Tanay Rege and Shantanu Gokhale at a previous baithak
The following evening turns to rhythm and footwork, beginning with Pakhawaj artiste Swapnil Suryavanshi, accompanied by harmonium player Nachiket Haridas. The percussion-led set will make way for Bharatanatyam by students of Guru Gayathri Subramanian from Guru GV Ramani Natya Kala Foundation (GVRNK), followed by Kathak students of Guru Amruta Paranjpee from Abhivyakti Foundation.
Riddhi Atre
For founder Riddhi Atre, who has been practising Kathak for 16 years, the platform began with a problem she understood personally. "You don't get a job till you have work experience and you don't get experience till you have a job," she describes the challenge emerging artistes face as they try to move from years of training to professional performance.
The Taal Tribe addresses this by creating paid performance opportunities for classical dancers and musicians. Atre also wants the baithak to feel welcoming rather than intimidating, with artistes encouraged to interact with those watching.
ON October 10 and 11; 6 pm
AT (Day 1) Shree Keertan Kendra, Sainath Nagar, Juhu; (Day 2) Sathaye College Auditorium, Park Road, Vile Parle East.
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ENTRY Rs 250 onwards
