ASAVARI’s Continuing Tradition 2025, held on Tuesday evening at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, was warmly received by rasikas, scholars, and members of the cultural fraternity, marking a memorable celebration of legacy, gratitude, and artistic continuity. The evening paid tribute to the legendary music composers late Pandit Jwala Prasad and Pandit Madho Prasad, celebrated over five decades of Kathak pedagogy by Padmashri Guru Shovana Narayan, and witnessed the release of her biography, ‘I Am a Fleeting Moment in Time’.
The auditorium resonated with appreciation as the programme unfolded, honouring the timeless compositions of Pandit Jwala Prasad and Pandit Madho Prasad, which continue to shape the vocabulary of Kathak and remain integral to Guru Shovana Narayan’s choreographic oeuvre. The event reflected the depth of their musical legacy and its continued relevance in contemporary classical practice.
The evening was graced by distinguished guests, including Ambassador K. Nandini Singla, Director General, ICCR; Shri K. Satish Nambudiripad, Director General, Doordarshan; and Prof. K. G. Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre. Their presence added stature to the occasion and reaffirmed the significance of sustaining India’s classical arts.
A key highlight of the programme was the release of Guru Shovana Narayan’s biography, ‘I Am a Fleeting Moment in Time’, authored by Maya Parijat. The subsequent panel discussion, thoughtfully moderated by Vinita Dawra Nangia, offered audiences rare insights into Guruji’s artistic journey, philosophy, and lived experiences, and was met with keen engagement from the audience.
The second half of the evening featured the sixth edition of Continuing Tradition, where senior disciples of Guru Shovana Narayan presented selected compositions of Pandit Jwala Prasad and Pandit Madho Prasad. Their nuanced and deeply internalised performances were appreciated for their restraint, musicality, and fidelity to the guru–shishya parampara, drawing sustained applause from the audience.
Reflecting on the evening, Guru Shovana Narayan shared, “The warmth and attentiveness of the audience reaffirmed my faith in the strength of our traditions. To witness my gurus remembered with such reverence and my disciples perform with such sincerity is deeply humbling.”
Continuing Tradition 2025 also marked the conclusion of the year-long celebrations of Guru Shovana Narayan’s seventy-fifth year, bringing together memory, mentorship, and artistic lineage in a manner that resonated deeply with all present.
With its seamless blend of tribute, reflection, and performance, Continuing Tradition 2025 stood as a reaffirmation of ASAVARI’s commitment to nurturing classical arts and honouring the enduring bond between guru and disciple. The evening left audiences with a renewed sense of reverence for Kathak and the collective responsibility of carrying its legacy forward.
