The stage is suddenly still, and the vibrant echo of the ghungroos has quietened to an aching silence. With the passing of Guru Pratap Pawar, India and the global arts diaspora have lost one of their most sub cultural ambassadors and a fierce guardian of the Lucknow gharana. A senior and deeply cherished disciple of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pratap Pawarji did not merely perform Kathak—he breathed it, weaponised its grace to transcend borders, and gave his entire life to its rhythm. His journey was a testament to absolute, unyielding devotion. From his earliest days absorbing the complex mathematical poetry of footwork under his master, to his decades spent performing on global stages, he carried the soul of Indian classical art with unprecedented humility. To witness him on stage was to watch poetry in motion; his lightning-fast chakkars (spins), his fluid abhinaya (expression), and the storytelling woven into his very posture could spellbind audiences worldwide.
Behind the global tempest of his movement stood a partnership born of rhythm and shared devotion. In Vishnu Priya Ji, his beloved wife affectionately known as Priya, Pratap Bhai found not just a life partner, but a creative counterpart. An accomplished artist fluent in the sculptural grace of Odissi and the Jaipur style of Kathak, she danced alongside him as part of a “Divine Dancing Couple” that mesmerised Western audiences. When they moved to London, her presence transformed their home into a legendary sanctuary. For decades, she anchored their Triveni dance company alongside him, co-authoring a legacy where the sacred fires of Indian classical dance could take root in foreign soil. She was the steady melody to his lightning footwork, ensuring their home remained a haven of warmth and hospitality for every traveling artist who crossed their threshold. Together, they nurtured a home that breathed creativity, a spirit beautifully carried forward by their children, Asavari and Prashant, who grew up wrapped in this rich tapestry of culture and rhythm.
The world could not remain blind to a devotion so fierce, and the accolades that followed Guru Pratap Pawar were validations of a life spent in absolute sadhana. In 2008, India bestowed upon him the prestigious Padma Shri, recognizing him as a vital artery of the nation’s cultural soul, pumping the classical purity of his lineage across continents. This global impact was further cemented in 2019 when he was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Invested by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, the honour was a crowning testament to over five decades of transforming the United Kingdom into a vibrant outpost for Kathak, bridging the heart of India with the global stage. From ground-breaking international tours to acclaimed choreographies that blended tradition with innovative storytelling, he pushed the boundaries of his art while maintaining its sacred core.
Yet, those who knew him beyond the spotlight—like his lifelong friend, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan—remember a man whose heart was even greater than his art. He was a Guru in the truest, most ancient sense: a guiding light who nurtured generations of students, instilling in them not just the rigoroustechnique of Kathak, but the discipline, generosity, and grace required for life. He wore his heavy honors with the light feet of a true master, always deflecting the praise back to his guru and the eternal dance itself. Though his physical stance has left the stage, the rhythms he set into motion will never fade. They
live on in his children, the devotion of Priya Ji, the countless disciples he inspired, and the indelible mark
he left on the world. “The bells have fallen silent, but the dance of his soul remains eternal…….”
By Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra
( Bharatanatyam Exponent Teacher Choreographer Writer Curator Independent Researcher Dance Journalist and in the field for over Six and half decades)
