Vidha and Abhimanyu Lal, husband and wife, are world-famous kathak dancers. The practice of this sacred dance from the north of India was originally reserved to men who still sometimes perform the female parts. The word kathak comes from the Sanskrit word katha, story or from katthaka, the person who tells a story. This dance leaves little room to improvisation and is based on hand and foot movements which create the narration. Performers must demonstrate both grace and great physical deftness. Geetanjali Lal, Abhimanyu’s mother, has taught Vidha and Abhimanyu Lal since they were children. From an early age they both followed her on tours and then they got married and started performing as a duo.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

The two dancers presented for the first time a program of only kathak. Their concerts in Sofia on December 5 and 6 at the Buglarian Army Theater charged the audience with the beauty, grace and exciting narrative of this variety of Indian classic dance. Vidha Lal is one of the most famous kathak dancers. She is even in the Guinness Record Book for the most pirouettes in one minute (103). She has participated in numerous international forums in the US, Canada, and Great Britain, and also along with her husband she was part of the show opening the Olympic Games in London last year. Abhimanyu Lal is also famous around the world with his performances in Europe, North and South Africa. Besides a performer, he is also a choreographer, percussionist and promoter of the contemporary style of kathak.
The two artists spent in Bulgaria just a couple of days, with a very tight schedule of concerts, a workshop and interviews, including a special one for RB, where they talks about their impressions of Bulgaria and their concerts in Sofia, saying they were really fascinated by the popularity of Indian culture in this country and the warm reception by the Bulgarian audience. 

English version: Rossitsa Petcova