Priya Pawar is an enduring light in the international world of classical Indian dance.
She is respected and valued as a vehicle and guardian of the Jaipur style of Kathak. She is also a charming exponent of Odissi. The power, grace and depth of Priya’s dance, underpinned by an indomitable spirit, have carried her through a few decades and a great many countries. Priya is a dancer with enormous natural presence who effortlessly establishes a report with her audience.
She was showered with awards for her performances in her childhood and youth, gaining her Nritya Vishard (BA) when she was just 10 from the Bhatkhande Marris Music College, Lucknow. Here she studied under Shombu Maharaj and Mohanroa Kalyanpurkar. In 1967 she was awarded a Government of India scholarship to study Kathak at the Kathak Kendra, Delhi. She gained her Nritya Varadhi (MA) after studying under Guru Sunder Prasad and Kundenlal Gangani
When already an experienced Kathak dancer, Priya branched out into the exquisitely sculptural style of Odissi. She studied intensively under Hare Krishna Behera in Delhi and later, over the years, often invited her guru to London to help her with Odissi projects. Priya also studied under the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra.
In 1972 Priya was listed as a ‘Top Grade’ artist by the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and has been sent abroad to represent India as a member of various delegations.
Priya has been performing virtually all her life but her career began when she took part as a staff artist in a number of dance ballets produced by Birju Maharaj at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra (now Kathak Kendra) in Delhi.
She has received wide acclaim and toured all over the world including in the Far East, USA, South America, West Indies and Europe.
Sera Bengali Award
In 2023 Guru Priya Pawar was awarded the Sera Bengali Award by UKBC.
| The United Kingdom Bengali Convention (UKBC) is a non-profit charity registered in the UK, with a view to organise the largest convention for the Bengali diaspora based in the UK.UKBC has had support from up to 60 organisations in the UK with a view to celebrate this unique annual festival. Every year UKBC is hosted in a different city in the United Kingdom. Link: www.ukbc.info |
Priya Pawar receiving the Sera Bengali Award
Workshops in Spain, 2025