To celebrate the 75th anniversary of her guru the late Pandit Durga Lal, kathak danseuse Uma Dogra will host a special performance by Vaibhav Arekar at Shivaji Park tomorrow. “The 75th birth anniversary is a key point and a milestone. His [Pandit Durga Lal] work has influenced many young dancers through generations. If he were around today, Kathak would be heralded in a much different way.”

The performance is a premiere of Arekar’s choreographed narrative in Bharatanatyam, titled Varsha-Harvest of Lost Dreams. The performance views the monsoon through the eyes of a farmer waiting in hope. “I wanted to dedicate the performance to Pandit Durga Lal, of whom I have heard such great things from all the masters,” Arekar shares.  The dancer explains further, “This show, Varsha, is a farmer’s connection with the monsoon.