Gandharblok Kala Kendra Garia Kolkata

Some words on Pandit Shyamal Maharaj and Nrityasree Gitali Basu Aich Pandit Shyamal Maharaj is the founder and director of Gandharbalok Kala Kendra (Pandit Shyamal Maharaj Dance Academy). Along with his disciple and wife Nrityasree Gitali Basu Aich, he has been imparting the knowledge of Kathak, Odissi, Rabindra Nritya, folk dances and contemporary styles to the students for years. An inborn Kathak dancer, Guru Pandit Shyamal Maharaj has brought in a new style in Kathak and has popularized his classical form. He is not only a master and legend in Kathak dance but also a powerful tabla player. He has been awarded the National Scholarship, Indian Cultural Trust Scholarship, Merit Scholarship and many more. He was a research student at Vishwa Bharati University where he learned Kathakali and Manipuri dance forms. He is the disciple of Late Pandit Shambhu Maharaj and Late Pandit Lachchhu Maharaj at Sangeet Natak Academy - Kathak Kendra, Delhi. He was also attached with the Kathak Kendra Ballet troupe and was associated with legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj. He is also an author of books on Indian Classical dance, namely "Nrityer Anginaye Kathak" in Bengali and "The Idea of Dance" in English. Pandit Shyamal Maharaj has also directed some telefilms and television serials. Even today, he is performing in various shows, both within the country and abroad. He has many disciples in India and abroad, but his favorite being his wife, Nrityasree Gitali Basu Aich. She has expertise in Kathak Dance under the tutelage of Pandit Shyamal Maharaj. She is also the disciple of Late Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, a legend in the field of Odissi Dance. She has been associated with some of the renowned schools in Kolkata as Dance Teacher and is presently Head of Department of Dance at Delhi Public School (Ruby Park), Kolkata. She has also performed at a number of dance shows both in India and abroad.