Nisha Kesari’s mesmerising performances charmed the audience, beginning with an invocation to Lord Shiva through Shiv Dhrupad. This segment showcased slow and meditative passages, intricate melodic ornamentation, and rhythmic patterns reflecting the cosmic dance and divine essence of Lord Shiva. Gracefully depicting Shiva’s benevolent presence and his role as the destroyer of ignorance, Nisha’s performance was both captivating and spiritually uplifting. Nisha then performed a classic Kathak repertoire in Taal Teentaal and Taal Dhamaar. She demonstrated her command of the art form by performing bandishes such as Upaj, Thaat, Aamad, Uthan, Paran, Tukde, Tihai, Ladi and by having Gatnikas express characters, moods, and emotions. She added depth and variation to her performance by presenting Aanchal gat and Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s Gatnikas, which included husn, salami, and rukhsar.
Nisha Kesari played a bandish in Raga Basant, “Phagavaa brij dekhan ko chalo ri,” and in Basant Bahaar, “Ketaki gulab juhi,” showcasing the colors of spring and their significance of romance and rejuvenation. Sakhi is calling her friends and asking them to go with her to see the beautiful season of Basant at Brij. The messenger bird has told her that in this spring season, we will meet Lord Krishna. When spring arrives, the entire garden will be filled with the sweet scent of flowers. I will embrace Krishna in this beautiful season. The poet describes the spring season and the fervour that goes with it. The sakhis of the village are welcoming the season by adorning themselves with fresh flowers and jewellery and swinging on jhulaas. They tell each other to dress up in their finery and prepare some abir gulal (coloured mixture) used for playing holi with their friends.
Accompanying Nisha were esteemed artists, including Guru Rani Khanam Ji on padhant, Nasir Khan Ji on sarangi, vocals and harmonium by Shuheb Hasan Ji, and tabla by Aman Ali Khan Ji, enriching the performance with their musical expertise.
Nisha Kesari, known for her rhythmic and flowing movements coupled with strong footwork, demonstrated her prowess as a prolific exponent of Kathak. Having begun her journey into Kathak at the age of 7 under the guidance of Guru Rani Khanam Ji, Nisha’s passion for the art form has propelled her to remarkable heights. With Nisha Kesari’s compelling performances engaging audiences on both emotional and spiritual levels, the event proved to be a memorable experience for Kathak enthusiasts and receptive spectators alike.