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Showcase Series

Kathak Ka Namūna

Wednesday, May 7 at 12 p.m.

Join us as Priyanka Tope uncovers the scope of Kathak and Indian music. The journey begins with traditional pieces, highlighting repertoire within the Lucknow Gharana. Audiences will also experience the Indian tabla, an integral instrument of Indian music, with guest soloist Tejas Tope, which will focus on the rhythmic elements of Hindustani music. This will be followed by a "jugal-bandi" or "conversation" between dancer and tabla. 

Kathak Ka Namūna promises to be an interactive hour of movement, as audience members will also have the opportunity to participate in group Kathak movements. Lastly, this session will close with a short dance film "Pendulum", created in 2024. The film serves as an example of what Kathak can be and how it can evolve to fit modern stories that speak to diverse audiences.

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Meet our Artists

Priyanka Tope

May 7 Artist

Priyanka Tope is an emerging Kathak artist, choreographer, vocalist, and dance educator originally from New York, now based in Hamilton, Canada. She began studying Kathak at a young age under Pandita Guru Archana Joglekar and has continued her training for over a decade with her teacher and mentor Parul Shah. Priyanka has also trained in Bharatanatyam under Smt. Guru Satya Pradeep.

As a choreographer, Priyanka aims to create a deeper connection through themes and movement that resonate with a contemporary and diverse audience. She is particularly drawn to experimenting with traditional formats, storytelling, and movement as part of her creative process. This exploration has led her to mentorships with award-winning artists from various dance forms, including Denise Fujiwara (Canada) and Kristina and Sadé Alleyne (UK). Priyanka continues to expand her traditional Kathak training with Vaishali Sangati (India).

Her recent solo work, Pendulum, was featured at Night/Shift as part of the prestigious Fall For Dance North festival in Toronto, as well as for Sampradaya Dance Creations' Horizon series. Pendulum was also adapted into a short dance film, supported by the Hamilton Arts Council, and has screened at festivals in India, Italy, Hamilton, and Montreal.

When Priyanka moved to Hamilton in 2022, the city lacked a Kathak community. Since then, she has made it her mission to foster a growing community through teaching at her home and McMaster University. Priyanka’s aim is to raise awareness of Kathak and strengthen Hamilton’s diverse arts scene.

Tejas Tope

May 7 Artist

Tejas Tope is a tabla disciple of Pt. Samir Chatterjee and also studies with Ud. Zakir Hussain. He has taken pakhawaj training with Pt. Mohan Shyam Sharma and Pt. Manik Munde. Tejas is based in Manhattan.