Collaborations
Kathak and Dhrupad
A Kathak Baithak for connoisseurs, students, and patrons of Indian classical arts, “Reflections on Kathak and Dhrupad and their Core Values” was conceived, hosted, and presented by Ruchi Saini in collaboration with Dhrupad Maestro Ustad Wasif-ud-din Dagar and Kathak Maestro Guru Munna Shukla. The two maestros came together to reflect on Stillness and Movement, revealing the intrinsic harmony between Kathak and Dhrupad. The event was held on 10th November 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at ArtSastra Gallery, New Delhi. The session was conducted by Vidushi Manjari Sinha.
This Baithak was among the first in the Art Appreciation Series, envisioned to create a space for dialogue and exploration across disciplines of art and knowledge — a pursuit that continues to shape future artistic conversations.
Kathak and Calligraphy
In 2018, Ruchi collaborated with pictorial calligrapher Ms. Qamar Dagar to celebrate the art of dance and movement. Commemorating the 75th birthday of her Guru, Kathak Maestro Munna Shukla, the calendar was an aesthetic delight showcasing specially designed pictorial calligraphy artworks in Hindi and Urdu scripts by Qamar Dagar’s artistic interpretations of Kathak, juxtaposed with the sensitive and soulful shayari of Vipul Saini.
The calendar is a glimpse into her Kathak classroom where the mission of her Guru was to encourage students not just to be performers but to also develop a universal understanding towards all other art forms. The calendar would not only help the onlooker appreciate the aesthetic significance of various artforms righteously but also offer many a lessons in humble living. It’s the transfer of this value-system more than the art itself, which is the objective of this project.
Witnessing the tradition of ‘Maukhik Vidya’ or oral education, a unique tradition which has been a defining feature of classical arts education in the East for centuries, ruchi imbibed poetry, idioms, phrases etc some of which are used in the calendar which were received during oral communication with her Guru.
Kathak and Sculptures
Ruchi Saini participated as a solo Kathak dancer and choreographer in the short film “Beauty of Form”, directed by Vienna-based visual artist Kay Walkowiak.
The production features music inspired by the Nirguni Bhajan tradition and unfolds through a contemplative Kathak composition choreographed by Ms. Saini. The piece symbolises the confluence of the earth and wind elements, evoking a quiet harmony between physical form and the subtle dimensions of movement and space.
In the words of the director, Kay Walkowiak, “Saini’s solo dance and her skilfully conducted choreography with students of the BHU Dance Department were of outstanding quality and a truly valuable gift to the whole project.”
Indian Airlines Design Motifs
As a young student of Textile and Design at the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Design, Ruchi let her brush dance with imagination. Inspired by the delicate wings of a bird, her design was carefully studied and selected for the interiors of the Indian Airlines Airbus A320.
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