Nandkishore Kapote

Nandkishore Kapote is a Kathak classical dancer of Indian origin. He is a distinguished guide for one of the PhD programmes at the Tilak Maharashtra University, as well as at the Sri Sri Centre for Kathak Research (SSCARK)^[1] at Sri Sri University.

Dr. Nandkishore Kapote
Kapote performing Abhinaya on a bhajan in Pune, October 2015
Born	(1956-08-10) August 10, 1956 (age 68) Maharashtra
Education	Doctorate in Kathak, B.Com
Alma mater	2004 Tilak Maharashtra University PhD (under guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj, Kathak Kendra, Delhi) 1977 Kathak Kendra Delhi – National Institute of Kathak Dance
Known for	Indian Classical Dance form Kathak Artistic Director, Nandkishore Cultural Society
Notable work	Book – Kathak Samrat Birju Maharaj
Style	Kathak – Lucknow Gharana
Awards	See Awards section below
Website	www.nandakishorekapote.com

Academic career

In 1977–78, Kapote was awarded the National Scholarship from the Cultural Department, Government of India for learning Kathak dance. He is a recognized Ph.D. guide in Kathak dance for Tilak Maharashtra University^[2] and Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune.^[3]

Institutions & Establishments

During his academic career, Dr Kapote has aided in the creation of multiple cultural and artistic establishments. The first one, being Nadkishore Cultural Society, in 1986, and a library, Pt. Birju Maharaj Dance and Music Research Centre and Library,^[4] in 2006. He also helped establish Kathak Queen Sitara Devi Art Museum, in 2014.^[5]

In 2006 Nandkishore established “Pt. Birju Maharaj Dance and Music Research Centre and Library” consisting of thousands of books related to dance and music for the benefit of students.

Vimal Bhaskar National Award set up by Nandkishore Cultural Society in memory of Shrimati Vimal Kapote and Shri Bhaskar Kapote. Award recipients are Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and Kathak exponent Pandita Saswati Sen^[6][7] Award was bestowed upon Dr. Puru Dadheech and Dr. Vibha Dadheech on June 5, 2022.^[8]

Nritya Samrat Pt. Birju Maharaj National Award set up by Dr. Nandkishore Kapote. The award was bestowed upon Dr. Shovana Narayan and Pt. Deepak Maharaj on 14 May 2022.^[9]

Nandkishore Cultural Society at Pune in 1986 (inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi) and at Nigdi in 1998 (inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj). Pt. Birju Maharaj Dance & Music Research Centre & Library in 2006.^[10] and

As of 2023, he is a disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj, an Indian dancer and composer. Kapote is also an artistic director of Nandkishore Cultural Society.

Kapote also currently holds a position of the Director at Dr. D. Y. Patil School of Liberal Arts,^[11] a school that offers courses in Kathak dance ^[12] and other performative arts. Kapote also acts as a Ph.D. guide at Sri Sri Centre for Kathak Research^[13] He is also a member of the advisory committee of Kathak Kendra, also known as a National Institute of Kathak Dance.^[14]

Awards and Notable Mentions

Kapote is an empaneled artist with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).^[15][16] He is also an Empaneled Artist of Festival of India (FOI) Abroad with a grading of ‘Outstanding’.

• Maharashtra Rajya Sanskrutik Puraskar – Maharashtra State Cultural Award, 2004. The Award carried a cash prize of Rs.25,000.^[17][18]
• Maharashtra State Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit Mitra Award, 2010^[19][20]
• Salaam Pune Award, 2015 ^[21]
• Senior Fellowship from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 2015^[22][23]
• Chitrakarmi Award, 2017^[24]
• SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARD AKADEMI PURASKAR, 2020^[25]
• Singar Mani Award.^[26]
• Balgandharva Award by Pune Municipal Corporation, Nehru Award^[27]
• Limca Book of Records – listed in Limca Book of Records for teaching oldest student aged 76 years.^[28]
• Pune Navratri Mahotsav Awards (Shri Lakshmimata Kala Sanskruti)^[29]

Books and DVD

Book

• Nritya Samrat Pt. Birju Maharaj (Language: Hindi/English) 2021 ISBN 978-93-5473-457-1 .^[30][31]
• Kathak Samrat – Birju Maharaj (Language: Marathi) ^[32] The book is recommended by Pune University and Tilak Maharashtra University.^[5] The book highlights the multifarious personality of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. The book was inaugurated in 2006 by Pt. Birju Maharaj himself at a celebratory function at Nigdi.
• Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes: Dr. Kapote has co-written the first chapter titled An Introduction to Tribal Dances of India.^[33][34]

DVD

• "Shiv Ram Shyam", Kathak style choreography has been arranged by Dr. Kapote in this DVD. This DVD has been released by Fountain Music Company.^[35] Ref number FMV 298. Additionally, Dr. Kapote has presented a Kathak style performance on Shiva bhajan in this VCD.

Syllabus

Dr. Kapote has prepared a Kathak classical dance examination syllabus for Kathak certification and diploma levels. This syllabus has received recognition by Maharashtra State Government for Kathak Classical Dance examinations.

Proficient students who get certified by Nandkishore Cultural Society can avail of extra marks for their HSc (10th standard examinations) throughout Maharashtra. Students can earn up to 15 marks extra upon completion of 5 Kathak levels and up to 10 marks extra upon completion of 3 Kathak levels.^[36]

Choreographies & Dance Drama

• Choreographies & Dance Dramas as follows:^[5]
• 'Mahamanav' based on the life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and was telecast by Mumbai Doordarshan as it created a great impact by spreading the message of Dr. Ambedkar. The cast included 70 performing artists from the age group of 4 – 80 years.
• 'Mrutyunjay Mahaveer' based on Jain dharma and life of Lord Mahaveer.
• 'Mahakaleshwar Shiva' based on navarasa (9 Aesthetics)
• 'Narvar Krishna Saman' based on Bal Gandharva's Marathi language play ‘Natya Sangeet’.

Films

Dr. Pt. Nandkishore Kapote has choreographed dance sequences for a number of films.

• He Geet Jeevanache,^[37] famous Marathi language film directed by Shri Ram Gabale with music direction by Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
• Vardhaman Mahaveer,^[38] under banner of Bharat Sudhar Films: Proprietor- Dr Prakash B Katariya, Director- Rajesh Chandrakant Limkar, Music Director- Dr. Ashok Patki

Kapote was felicitated with the Chitrakarmi Award 2017 for contribution to Marathi Film Industry. (See Awards section for details)

Performances

Dr. Kapote's dance career covers a number of National and International performances. A few of his performances are mentioned below:

• National Programme of Dance: A Grade artist of Delhi Doordarshan and has performed on national television's 'National Programme of Dance' multiple times.^[39]
• Ballet Productions produced by Pt. Birju Maharaj. Performed in numerous ballets such as: Katha Raghunathki, Hori Dhoom Machai, Roopmati-Baz Bahadur, Habba Khatun & Krishnayan.^[40]
• Tributes for Mata Amritanandamayi Numerous performances in honour of Amma's arrival to Pune^[41][42]
• ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Delhi) has catalogued his performances.^[43] This performance on the repository, was recorded in 1991–92 at the Bal Gandharva Ranga Mandir, Pune. The 52-minute program includes ‘Vishnu Vandana’, ‘Draupadi Vastra Haran’, ‘Bhajan’ and a Tarana. Accompanying Tabla player is Padma Shri recipient Vijay Ghate.

International Performances

Internationally acclaimed dance performer, Kapote, has presented Kathak performances in the following countries:^[5]

• Russia: (along with troupe organized by Guru Padma Shri Shovana Narayan)
• Russia: (along with his Guru Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj)
• United States of America (along with his Guru Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj)
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Holland (along with troupe organized by Guru Padma Shri Shovana Narayan)
• Kuwait (along with troupe organized by Guru Padma Bhushan Uma Sharma)

Others

• He also serves as Honorary Advisor at Music Academy – PCMC, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation^[44]
• International Dance Day Celebrations 29 April.

Dr. Kapote through his organization ‘Nandkishore Cultural Society’ along with his organization that promotes the cause of artists- ‘Akhil Bharatiya Shastriya Nritya Parishad’, celebrates Dance Day every year, thereby promoting dance artists in Pune. Dance Day established in 1982 is on 29 April each year and is promoted by the International Dance Council. The International Dance Council (CID -Conseil International de la Danse) is the official organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. CID was founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based. 2019 poster information for dance day is on the CID website.^[45]

• Dance Tribute for Shri Satya Saibaba.

Dr. Kapote said he has never missed performing a bhajan on Thursday as a prayer to Baba and would continue to do so.^[46]