Media
Ruchi’s contributions to Kathak have been recognised by respected newspapers and arts journals. Below are selected press excerpts that highlight her performances, initiatives, and engagements within the classical arts community.
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“What was noticeable was the equipoise, the quiet enjoyment in the dance and lack of any hurry and the effortless natural sensuous grace which characterised the dance..”
“The Baithak opened with Guru Vandana, composed and soulfully sung by Hema Azeez in Raga Bhinna-Shadja followed by Sargam neatly performed by the young students of Ruchi Saini. The tiny tots stole the hearts of Rasikas by taking turns to express their own meaning of “Udaan” and then performing it with simple Hastaka and Aamad, Tode, Tukde, Kavitta et al.
Pt Birju Maharaj blessed the budding Kathak dancers and the Baithak proceeded towards the theme of the day…”
“Ruchi Saini, who hosted the baithak at her Saraswati College cum residence abutting a DDA designated park in the now posh SDA area) are renowned male dancers-teachers…”
“Saraswati Music College of the Capital recently celebrated kathak maestro Munna Shukla’s 70th birthday with an evening of ‘Kathak Baithak’.
As the centre’s artistic director Ruchi Saini put it in introducing her well-made documentary on Shukla’s life and works, “Guruji is many things rolled into one. He is a life-long devotee of kathak; a most disciplined teacher; an outstanding choreographer; a dancer par excellence and, above all, a modest human being in every sense of the term”…
“To prove the points he made, Ruchi Saini, his senior disciple, demonstrated a variety of “Gat Nikas” like the Rukhsar ki Gat, Aanchal ki Gat, Shringar ki Gat, Naav ki Gat, with the delicate nuances of Lucknow Gharana, which are fast disappearing.
These valuable archival recordings of Saraswati Music College would go a long way to preserve the rich heritage…”
“The documentary, which has been directed by Ruchi Saini, explores various aspects of the classical dancer’s personality through a series of interviews with art critics and scholars…”
Awards & Recognition
Ruchi’s work has been acknowledged by various institutions over the years, and each recognition is held with a deep sense of gratitude.
Dharitri Shikhar Samman
by Dharitri Kala Kendra & Yuva Rang Manch for her works & contribution in Kathak, as a dancer & art educator
2018
'A' grade artist by Doordarshan
one of India’s largest broadcasting organizations founded by the Government of India
2018
Saraswati Yuva Samman Award
An honour which was presented to Ruchi Saini by sangeet Martand Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj
2010
Indian Airlines A320 Upholstery Project
for her contribution to the upholstery design of the Indian Airlines A320 aircraft, a project entrusted to NIFT.
1999
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