Rohini Bhate

Rohini Bhate was a classical dancer of Indian origin. She was an eminent figure in the world of Kathak dance in India. She made significant contributions to the art form as a performer, teacher, writer, researcher, and critic. Rohini Bhate was born in Patna, Bihar, and completed her education in Pune. She belonged to a Karhade Brahmin family with a middle-class background. She initially trained in Bharatanatyam under Guru Parvati Kumar and later studied Kathak under Pandit Lachhu Maharaj and Pandit Mohanrao Kallianpurkar for over 12 and 15 years, respectively. She was also a student of Keshavrao Bhole and Vasantrao Deshpande Vasantrao Deshpande, born on May 2, 1920, was a Hi >> Read More... and used to learn Hindustani music from them. Eventually, she obtained a doctorate in Kathak. Rohini Bhate created an extensive repertoire of dance compositions. Her approach to abhinaya was analytical and innovative, and she often composed the music for her performances due to her knowledge of Hindustani classical music.

Her choreography for Vijaya Mehta's Shakuntala was particularly noteworthy, and her work on Kālidāsa's Ṛtusaṃhāra and Usba Sukta from Rigveda was well received. Her diverse learning experiences, including her exposure to different geographical, intellectual, and temporal contexts, allowed her to experiment freely with Kathak, incorporating her musical and intellectual interests. She established the Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy in Pune in 1947, which trained hundreds of dancers over six decades and helped to popularize Kathak dance among middle-class families in Maharashtra.

During her long career, Rohini Bhate received numerous accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Kalidas Samman, and the Akademi Ratna award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. She authored several books on Kathak and wrote numerous papers on the subject. She also collaborated with other artists, such as the Hindustani classical tabla player Chandrakant Kamat and Bharatanatyam exponent Kalanidhi Narayanan. Rohini Bhate passed away in Pune in 2008 at the age of 83. The Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy continues to operate with its head office in Pune and branches in several other locations. Documentary films have been made on Rohini Bhate's life and work.