‘I was nervous to perform in Chennai’

CHENNAI: Renowned Kathak danseuse Sharmistha Mukherjee performed for the first time here on Monday.

Daughter of Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, Sharmistha has performed in several other countries, but said that performing in Chennai made her a tad nervous. “All the great artistes are from here, and the musical culture here is so abundant that you can draw inspiration everywhere you look,” she said.

The show opened to a packed hall at the Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet. Among the dignitaries present at the performance were Governor K Rosaiah, TNCC president B S Gnanadesikan, Former MP Dr M A M Ramaswamy, actors Kamal Haasan and Sneha.

The show titled, Kathak Nritya was choreographed by Mukherjee. It was divided into six sets and offered an eclectic range of themes including a fusion piece performed to the tune of a classical composition by Antonio Vivaldi.

Asked later what her response would be to purists of the art, she said: “No one knows what exactly was accepted 5,000 years ago. I work on experimental compositions only when something inspires me.”

Rosaiah appreciated the danseuse after the performance. Later, noted dance exponent Padma Subramaniam congratulated Mukherjee and said that she looked forward to her next performance in Chennai.

Mukherjee’s next performance in the city is scheduled for March 17.