The traditional image of a Kathak guru — stern, uncompromising and conventionally rigid, found no reflection in Kathak maestro late Pandit Durga Lal of the Jaipur Gharana. “There was a certain child-like innocence in his demeanour around his disciples. He would often tiptoe his way to practice and stamp his foot at the door exclaiming, ‘Main aa gaya’ with a wide smile. The words still echo in our hearts,” reminisces Uma Dogra, who has been organising the Pt Durgalal Festival in remembrance of her guru since his passing in 1990. The Sangeet Natak Akademi-awardee will present the 34th edition of the festival tomorrow to commemorate the 75th birth anniversary of the late pandit.

This year, the festival is set to host an all-male classical dance showcase of the theme   —Purushartha. “Guruji was a charismatic man who exemplified the supremely skilled male Kathak talents that graced stages in his era. Interestingly, his charm and aura earned him the title of the Greek god of Kathak,” Dogra chuckles. In tune with the theme, Dogra informs us the festival will host Bharatnatyam dancer Praveen Kumar and Kuchipudi artiste Gururaju N from Bengaluru, and Kathak dancer Souvik Chakraborty from Kolkata this year.