Gauri Sharma

Gauri Sharma Tripathi is an exponent of the north Indian classical dance form of Kathak. She has learnt from her guru and mother Smt Padma Sharma. Her first steps in this form were taught by Guru Lacchu Maharaj. Gauri has also studied folk dance styles in India; incorporating other dance influences within her classical framework. She has won critical acclaim in various dance festivals in India and abroad. She has appeared as a choreographer and performer in Munich Biennale, Royal Festival Hall, Millennium Dome to name a few. She has also taken part in a number of prime TV serials. Presently Gauri teaches both in India and London, and sees the world as her stage.

Indian traditions shine in Westminster Abbey: For Gauri Sharma Tripathi, the world is her stage

The commonwealth observance day is celebrated in the Westminster Abbey in a solemn ceremony with the Queen, Prince Charles, Prime Minister Tony Blair and other British dignitaries in attendance. The theme of this years ceremony was ‘celebrating diversity’. Being the Golden Jubilee year of the Commonwealth, this year’s celebrations had a special significance.

Gauri Tripathi and her 10 students, each an exponent of Kathak dance performed for the Queen and the audience in the nave of the Abbey. A startling performance by all accounts, and one that represented a fine mixture of classical Indian traditions in this most hallowed of British institutions. Lesley Garret, CBE and Sibongile Khumalo were other world-renowned artists who performed on the occasion.

At an evening reception at the Buckingham Palace, where Gauri met with the Queen, the Queen was all praises. Prince Charles was equally delighted with the subtle form of Kathak. He instantly asked his aides for a visit to the Gurukul. He wanted to know how such a traditional form is passed from guru’s to shishyas. Possibly a dynastic tradition he may want to borrow from!

Titled: Prism, this piece is seen as the prism through which the multi-coloured heritage of the Indian sub-continent comes alive. The piece has been set to reflect different rhythms, emotions and movements of India, reaching a crescendo with the sparkling character of Kathak as the spiritual backdrop. The dancers, with the choreography of Gauri Sharma Tripathi, blend universal themes of music and dance for this ceremony. They bring both a traditional and a modern flavor of India to this observance day celebrations.

Gauri has been performing at various dance festivals and events in India and Europe, and is currently choreographing a musical, which will be running in London.

Noor Jehan Centre