A flame awakens: Tirtha Juwatkar's radiant solo

- Bijoy Shivram
e-mail: bijoyshivram@gmail.com
Photos: Arunav Sen

November 19, 2025

In a world where instant visibility often supersedes patient cultivation, the Kathak solo performance of Tirtha Juwatkar under the banner of Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company emerged as a compelling reminder of what true dedication to classical arts looks like. Presented at the Convention Hall of JG College of Performing Arts, the evening resonated with a quiet intensity - a confluence of youthful passion, disciplined training and the deep spiritual resonance of the Guru–Shishya tradition.

Originally from Mumbai, Tirtha's tryst with Kathak began in 2017, first as a curiosity and later as a calling. After completing her foundation training, an intensive workshop with Sanjukta Sinha shifted the axis of her artistic life. Drawn to Sanjukta's sculpted technique, fierce discipline and contemporary classicism, Tirtha found in her the guiding light she had been seeking. In 2022, she made the courageous decision to leave her family and city to train in Ahmedabad, surrendering herself fully to the rigor and refinements of Kathak under Sanjukta's tutelage.

Tirtha Juwatkar

The performance opened with a Durga Stuti in raag Puriya Dhanashree, set to Ek Taal - "Devi Durge Bhavani". Tirtha offered the piece as though placing a lamp before the divine. Her abhinaya evoked the goddess in all her dimensions - serenity, radiance and formidable grace - while the ethereal raga lent the stage an aura of sacred stillness.

The second presentation transported the audience into the rhythmic depth of raag Jhinjhoti, culminating in Teen Taal. Here, Tirtha explored the technical universe of Kathak with confidence and precision, presenting variations of nritta compositions that revealed her growing mastery of form. Crisp and punctuated with strength, her nritta unfolded like a finely woven tapestry. She navigated the 16-beat cycle with sparkling clarity. Each variation showcased a distinct mood, pace and texture, revealing her understanding of rhythm as both structure and poetry. Her chakkars - swift yet controlled - drew appreciative murmurs, while her tatkaar carried the unmistakable grounding of rigorous, sustained riyaaz. Petite in stature but formidable in force, she moved with an intensity that lit the stage from the moment she stepped upon it.

The evening concluded with a Tarana in raag Miya Malhar, set in Teen Taal, a composition where the absence of sahitya invites dancer and audience alike into the pure abstraction of movement. Tirtha responded to its rhythmic cadences with fluid precision, allowing the raag's monsoon-soaked emotion to guide her through intricate patterns. The Tarana became a luminous finale: a celebration of speed, clarity and musical intuition woven together with youthful exuberance.

Tirtha Juwatkar

A performance of such depth is always a dialogue between dancer and musicians and Tirtha was supported by a stellar ensemble. Joby Joy's tabla provided a pulsating, responsive heartbeat; Hriday Desai brought a dual brilliance with his vocal and sarod accompaniment, shaping the melodic contours with depth and emotional resonance. The flute of Partha Sarkar added a wistful, flowing texture. Kruthika Ghanekar and Hiren Gajjar's padhant anchored the rhythmic precision essential to Kathak, while Manthan ensured sonic balance through thoughtful sound design. The stage received further dimension through Pankaj Sihag's lighting and technical direction, which framed each composition in an evocative visual atmosphere.

For a dancer stepping from group performance into her first solo, Tirtha's composure, technique and emotional clarity were remarkable. Her movements bore the unmistakable imprint of Guru Sanjukta Sinha's distinct style - sculpted energy and uncompromising precision - yet within that aesthetic, her own artistic voice was clearly emerging. A full auditorium responded with warmth and thunderous applause.

With her solo, Tirtha Juwatkar announced herself as a young artiste poised for a luminous journey, grounded in hard work, surrender and the transformative grace of a true guru's guidance.

Son of journalists K Shivram and Amni Shivram, the first Malayali woman English journalist, Bijoy Shivram is an accomplished Indian classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. A passionate promoter of the arts and a skilled graphic designer, he currently serves as the Vice Principal of JG College of Performing Arts and the Assistant Director (Operations) overseeing 17 JG colleges. He is also the founder of Preksha, an organization dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in Ahmedabad. Since 2020, Bijoy has curated the YouTube series 'Gurudakshina - An Ode to our Gurus,' celebrating the legacy of mentorship and tradition.