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Shila Mehta
Shila Mehta, an eminent Kathak Dancer is an empanelled dancer by the "Indian Council of cultural relations" (ICCR).

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Shila Mehta, Indian DancerShila Mehta has been regarded as the noted Kathak dancer as well as an illustrious Choreographer. "Indian Council of cultural relations" (ICCR) has empanelled her acknowledging her contribution in the field of Kathak Dance. She has bagged the honor of performing in many major notable festivals of India and abroad. Many workshops have been conducted by her in and around India and abroad. Many times even today Shila Mehta has been called for her lecture demonstration. For this purposes she has visited countries like USA, UK, Middle East countries, Germany, Ireland, Oman etc.

Shila Mehta has got her training under the expert tutelage of advocators of Kathak dancers namely Nrityacharya Shri Prahalad Das, Pt. Vijai Shankar, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Shri Chitresh Das, Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, Smt. Kalanidhi Narayana. She has been consecrated with the blessings of these noted dancers. They spearheaded Shila Mehta and groomed as a dancer as well as the performing artist. On many occasions she has been acknowledged for her outstanding performances that eventually led to the material recognitions.

She has been awarded the "Nritya Praveen" award. Shila Mehta has been conferred the "Outstanding Group of Young Persons" award. The award was conferred to her in recognition of her performance in the stage category. For her spectacular endeavor towards dance in the USA, they conferred her "The Overseas Natya Award - 2003".

In order to honor her contribution in the domain of Dance, in the year 2004, at Kolkata she was conferred the "Nritya Sadhana Award". In the year 2005, Department of Culture Govt. of India awarded Shila Mehta with "Senior Fellowship Award". On "Charani Kathak", she has done her research project. "Charani Kathak" is "a presentation of folk literature of Gujarat, through Kathak Dance". Shila Mehta has fetched the honor of performing at 17 cities of Germany in the year 2002. This tour took place under the series of "Culture on Wheels" where she was invited by the Government of India to participate in the tour.

Shila Mehta, Indian Dancer Shila Mehta has established her performing art centre named, `Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre`. She acts as the founder and artistic director of the centre. The centre is established at Mumbai. In that centre, Kathak Dance, folk Dance, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music and Yoga are taught. There are able gurus to conduct the training session. Shila Mehta herself is a genius in directing Dance Ballets. With her skillfulness she has presented folk dances in the combined styles of traditional and modern aspects.

Shila Mehta has bagged the honor of producing more than 200 innovative compositions. Some of her innovative compositions are: Expressions -- "The choreography incorporates various expressions - expressions of Eternity, Elation, Emotions and ecstasy"; Anubhooti --- "The choreographic work describes the feelings in the abstract language of the Tala system that seems parallel to the utterance of Holy chants"; Abhisaar - "A dance ballet in Kathak Dance idiom with the shade of Folk dances of Gujarat based on the original story written by Sri Rabindranath Tagore"; "The Moods Spectrum" --- "will unfold some ecstatic moments which in turn will create different moods"; "Tatva Gyan" - "It is a presentation of DOHAS by the legendry poet of Gujarat Late Shri Dula Kaag with beautiful blending of folk & classical music"; Trividh-"A Woman in vidid form - depicting various Rasas - 3 NAYIKAS"; Mukti - "A presentation of Liberation through 3 margams - Bhakti Marg, Karma Marg & experiencing ecstasy through Krishna`s Rhythm"; Ritu Rang --- "An exploration of various Ragas depicting various seasons round the year"; Kathak Yatra: A Presentation Of Solo Choreographies On Dashavatar, Horithumris, Poems by renowned poets, Geeta Saar, Ghazals, Taranas, Moods and many more. Shila Mehta both as a Kathak dancer and as the Choreographer has shaped a small concavity for herself in the domain of the Indian Classical dance.


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