With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Ruchi Khare is a renowned Kathak exponent committed to perfection in her art form. She has been teaching Kathak for past two decades in Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow, where she works as Assistant Professor in the department of Kathak Dance.
Born & brought up in Lucknow, she received her academic education and dance training in her hometown itself. Her Mother Smt. Suman Lata Khare has been her first Guru who learnt Kathak under the tutelage of great Guru Late Pt. Mohanrao Kallianpurkar at Marris Music College, Lucknow. Seeing Ruchi's natural flare and interest in Dance, her parents got her admitted in Bhatkhande Music College, Lucknow. She began learning Kathak at the tender age of nine under the tutelage of her Gurus Smt. Deepa Deva & Late Shri Subhash Dixit. Continuing her pursuit of excellence, she completed her Nritya Nipun under the guidance of Guru Dr. Purnima Pande, under whom she embraced the Guru-Shishya parampara in order to learn and understand the art of Kathak Dance in a committed way. Ruchi has also learnt the finer nuances of Kathak Dance under Padma Vibhshan late Pt. Birju Maharaj during his workshops.
Dr. Ruchi is a perfect example of diligence & brilliance. She has excelled both in academics and the art. As a gold medalist in M.A. (Statistics), she was honored with the Chancellor's Medal, from Lucknow University for being the best student all round in all faculties. She started her career as a Kathak Guru and performer at Rashtriya Kathak Sansthan, Lucknow now known as Pt. Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan. Thereafter completing post graduation in Kathak Dance and qualifying the UGC NET she further continued her teaching career at Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Rajasthan and subsequently she was duly appointed at her Alma Materie. Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow.
Dr. Ruchi Khare is an 'A' Grade artist of Doordarshan and an empanelled artist of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). She has received state & national scholarships along with a Junior Research Fellowship. She has been a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan honour, UP Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2014, Shringar Mani Award, Sanskar Bharti Ratna Samman, Legends of Avadh Samman, Governor's Award, President's Award etc.
Dr. Ruchi is a beautiful blend of a performer and a Guru. She holds vast experience of stage as well as training students. Dr. Ruchi has performed in the documentary "Zikr Us Parivash Ka produced by Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi on the life and contribution of Ghazal Queen Padma Shri Begum Akhtar.
The modern concept of holistic medicine believes and practices in maintaining a holistic health for all human beings. The statement from the preamble of the World Health Organization's constitution, adopted in 1946, illustrates that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Holistic health is an approach to wellness that simultaneously addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components of health. As a field of practice, holistic medicine draws from many disciplines, religions, and cultures to heal people, communities, and even the environment. The conventional stream of treatment thus now approaches for complimentary & alternative areas of treatment for over all wellness of patients.
There have been many discussions on the pros & cons of the benefits of alternative medicine such as alternative medicine focuses on treating your entire well-being, not just one part, and it prioritizes root cause analysis and finds the true source of health concerns although there is not much significant amount of scientific research available. But all said and done, there has been a marked increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine alongside the conventional one.
As a child, I loved dancing!! Rhythm attracted me and this was noticed by my loving and vigil parents. My mother Mrs. Suman Lata Khare, herself a trained Kathak dancer initiated me into basics of Kathak dance. Further observing my aptitude and over enthusiasm for Kathak, they got me enrolled in Bhathkhande Music College (now Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya) for Kathak dance classes. The passion for dancing grew with time and Kathak became a daily routine in my life and over the years I realised that the health & mental fitness that I had, not many of my peers enjoyed. Therefore when I decided to do my PhD, in 2006, I deliberately chose a subject which was untouched until then, i.e. using Kathak as a Dance Therapy. This was precisely to quench my thirst and curiosity about the hidden magic of healing virtue of Kathak dance. Hence after lot of meticulous discussions, deliberations and studies my topic of research was registered as 'SCOPE of KATHAK DANCE as A HEALING THERAPY (With Special Focus on Acupressure). Dance is an upcoming means of Therapy and its understanding appears to be attracting increasing interest amongst practitioners. Dance or movement therapy (DMT), is a type of therapy that uses movement to help individuals achieve emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration. The study of Dance Therapy helps identify and understand the ways in which it can be most effective in healing people suffering from various health disorders.
I was introduced to Ruchi in Lucknow by my esteemed friend, dance guru Dr. Purnima Pande. I was happy to learn about Ruchi's research on the application of Kathak as a form of dance therapy. Her book, "Therapeutic Magic of Kathak," is derived from her thesis titled "Scope of Kathak Dance as Healing Therapy (with special focus on Acupressure)." The central theme of this work resonates deeply with me, as Kathak has served as a vital source of emotional and mental support throughout the various challenges 1 have faced in life. This journey began with the passing of my father. From the harrowing experience of locating his body after a train accident in 1977, to arranging for the post-mortem and bringing him home late at night in Delhi, followed by performing the cremation ceremony of "mukhagni" for my father that was followed by my Kathak performance at the Mathura Dance Festival just two days later, it was Kathak that provided me solace during this tumultuous period. Numerous other significant obstacles have arisen in my life, including skin ailment, lichen planus pigmentosis, and severe knee issues, yet each time, it was Kathak that guided me through.
It is evident that the book is thoroughly researched, as Ruchi presents a compelling perspective on human physiology and fibromyalgia, particularly emphasizing the healing potential of Kathak dance. The insights of various experts from medicine, therapy, and acupressure are incorporated throughout the text. Dance movement therapy is defined as the psychotherapeutic application of movement to foster emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration. The manuscript illustrates how this approach can enhance physical health by increasing strength, improving flexibility, reducing muscle tension, and enhancing coordination. Additionally, it underscores significant mental health advantages, such as stress alleviation and symptom relief for conditions like anxiety and depression.
In addition to addressing issues such as autism and cerebral palsy, the book acknowledges that individuals without specific medical diagnoses may also experience mental stress and trauma stemming from societal pressures related to body image, domestic violence, or unresolved childhood traumas, which can lead to feelings of disconnection from their physical selves. Through the medium of dance, these individuals can find a refuge where they can confront and heal these hidden wounds.
I congratulate Ruchi on her work and hope that it reaches all sections of society so that they can benefit from it.
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