Guru-shishya relationship

Balbir’s guru

Balbir Singh’s guru is Padmashri Pratap Pawar. Popularly known as ‘India’s Divine Dancer’, Guru Pawar is renowned as an outstanding exponent and teacher of Kathak. His personal style is unique, unostentatious, serene and characterised by an impeccable technique that blends precision in footwork with aesthetics and imagery.

Guru Pratap Pawar is acclaimed for his work in bringing together different cultures by blending Indian dance with diverse traditions from around the world. He pioneered the concept of ‘East meeting West’ in the field of dance, and has been instrumental in developing a fusion of Kathak and Spanish Flamenco.

Guru Pawar’s own guru is Pandit Birju Maharaj, from whom he received authentic Kathak instruction within the Lucknow tradition.

“Kathak is like an ocean. There is so much to learn and to perform.”

Padmashri Guru Pratap Pawar MBE

Our South Shields: Thanks for the Memories open day, Clover Cottage, Beamish Museum: Guru Pawar and Balbir Singh

What is the guru-shishya tradition?

The guru-shishya tradition in Indian culture is a system of mentoring in which teachings are transmitted from a guru (teacher) to a shishya (disciple).

Unlike western student-teacher relationships, the guru-shishya relationship involves a high degree of spiritual commitment, self-discipline and devotion.

It often begins with a structured initiation ceremony in which the guru accepts the initiate as a shishya and also accepts responsibility for the spiritual wellbeing and progress of the new shishya.

In Kathak, the guru-shishya relationship is of fundamental importance and is characterised by humility, an open mind, and respect for oneself and for the guru.

Our South Shields: Thanks for the Memories, Welfare Hall performance: Guru Pawar, Aniruddha Mukherjee and Jesse Bannister