One of the greatest Tandav dance exponents, an epoch-maker and man with a vision, Shri Madan Lal Koser was much more. He had become a legend in his own lifetime, a distinction which is beyond majority of performers and organizers in the field of Indian classical music and dance. He stood among those distinguished few whose life’s mission was the propagation of Indian classical music and dance.
Known for his untiring pursuit of excellence whatever the field, he belonged to that rare species of artistes who for the cause of promoting of other artists sacrificed his own performing career at a time when it was at the peak. With his lifetime service to the enrichment of classical art and culture, Sh. M.L. Koser had scaled himself to such heights that people hold their heads up to look at him. Undisputed monarch of cultural activities, Sh. Koser, instead of resting on his laurels, continued to pay homage to Indian art and culture and he single-handedly put the City Beautiful on the art map of the world. His visionary foresight, indefatigable energy and brilliance can be gauged from the fact that at the young of 26, in 1956, he thought of setting up an institution of Pracheen Kala Kendra’s stature which has now climbed to new and dizzy heights and become a beacon light that guides aspiring artistes, helping them realize their true potential.
Born on June 20, 1930 in an illustrious family of Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, to well-to-do parents Lala Mela Ram and Mata Ishar Kaur, it was Koser’s interest in dance that took him to various fountainheads of this art form. Despite tremendous family opposition, this young dancer was absolutely convinced of the need to learn the classical dance forms at the places of their origin. He started learning intricacies of dance under Guru Sudhakar and later spent considerable time under the tutelage of legendary Guru Uday Shankar and Guru Namudri at Almora learning techniques and nuances of dancing. Not contended, he further practiced Bharatnatyam in Thanjavour and Kathak in Lucknow under the able guidance of master exponents. Not only that, he even went to Manipur to master the techniques of Manipuri dance, and received rigorous training from the renowned Guru Amubi Singh, an incomparable master of Manipuri dancing.
Equipped with sound theoretical and practical knowledge, Koser formed his own dancing troupe at the age of 20. Koser’s hard work bore fruit, and at the young age of 21, he was awarded the title of ‘Dwitya Tandu’ (the second Shiva), a rare distinction from Manipur. Panditraj Atambapu Sharma at that time said about Koser that he has the ability to perform the three forms of classical dances – Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and Manipuri – which can be compared with Triveni, the sangam of the three sacred rivers, the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Though Guru Koser had expertise in various dance forms, classical and folk, however, he earned name and fame as greatest Tandav dancer in pre and post independence era.
His debut was mind-blowing ballet based on Pandit Nehru’s “Discovery of India” which won him wide acclaim as a dance prodigy. In the form of social crusade, the numerous ballets staged by him spoke about the then burning problems of the country. The spectacular technique and novelty in his presentation brought him wide recognition so much so that the King of Ethiopia, who happened to witness one of his ballets, presented to Madan Lal Koser a Gold Medal and extended an invitation to him to visit his country. The other most memorable ballets staged by Koser were “Indo-Pak Conflict”, “India’s Peace Role in Korea”, “Unification of India”, “Nawakhali Episode”, “Bhakra Nangal”, etc.
ML Koser got the unique opportunity of performing on a number of occasions before Indian and foreign dignitaries. His performances were witnessed amongst others by the Late Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Late Dr. Radha Krishanan, Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, former President, Vice-President and Prime Minister of India, respectively, and by many Governors and Chief Ministers of the different Indian states. Koser was presented the President’s Award twice for presenting most inspiring programmes draped in refreshing creativity with perfect professional competence revealing novel shades of the art of classical dancing.
Apart from performing in almost all the states of India before various parliamentary delegates, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries. Ml Koser is also a well-known in the cultural and journalistic fields throughout India and abroad. He is a noted art critic as well as a well-known commentator on political affairs. He has been writing for a number of leading newspapers such as The Kashmir Times, Dainik Kashmir Times, Urdu Daily Taskeen, Punjab Kesari, Sambad Pratidin, Daily Desh Darpan, and The Frontier Sun.
With his many achievements and activities in the diverse fields of art and culture, ML Koser has secured for him a place of eminence in the galaxy of world’s foremost exponents, originators, organizers and propagators of dance, music and other fine arts. It has been conceded that his achievements in the myriad field of performing art have secured for him a lofty place in the galaxy of world’s foremost exponents, originators, organizers and true propagators of the musical arts. He has left behind a rich legacy and his demise created a vacuum that can never be filled.
Agra based Dr Shobha Koser a finest and foremost exponent of Jaipur School of Kathak dance whose name has not only become synonymous with Kathak but also she has perfected her skill in Kathak in such a manner to create her own distinctive style and signature in her chosen craft. Born in a well known medico family of Agra Shobha is known both for the excellence of her technique and her expressions in Abhinaya. Eighty summer young Shobha dances with a hypnotic force and subtle sensitivity combining rhythmic virtuosity with delicate expressiveness and her mastery over Abhinaya anga. She is truly a prodigy of Kathak.
A staunch believer in the Guru Shishya Parampara , She is an ardent supporter of purity in performing arts. She is against diluting the values for one or the other reason and wants the purity to be preserved at all costs. She is the one who is responsible for popularizing Kathak dance in this part of the country. She is the only Kathak exponent from the North West region of the country known for enriching the traditional Kathak of the Jaipur Gharana and maintaining its purity without diluting its fundamental techniques.
For more than half a century Dr. Shobha Koser is known as a dedicated guru who has produced a number of students who have become acclaimed dancers, teachers lecturers and head of dance departments in several schools, colleges and universities. Numerous Lecturers and teachers imparting training in Kathak Dance in various institutions in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana are her disciples. Dr Shobha Koser has an arresting stage presence and that natural grace which cannot be taught but is fundamental to a holistic performance. She has given several performances throughout the length and breadth of India and abroad including the USA Canada England France Singapore Tashkent Mauritius and South Africa.
She has the distinction of having performed before the Indian and foreign dignitaries including Governors, Chief Ministers of different states and Ambassadors. Dr Shobha Koser has devoted her entire life for the propagation, promotion and preservation of Kathak dance in particular and classical art and culture in general.
She is an adept choreographer and has directed and produced a number of ballets such as Amrapali, Kamayani, Kumar Sambhav, Chandralekha ,Chandana, Geet Govinda, Meghadoota ,Sagar Salila, Panchvati, Urvashi, Milan etc which were widely acclaimed.
She has also authored a book titled Nritya Abhigyan consisting of both theory and practical aspects of Kathak.
For more than 37 years she was the Head of the Dance Department Government College for Girls Sector 11 Chandigarh. She trained a number of students who are now ambassadors of her style and sensibility in India and abroad. She retired as Principal from the Government Post Graduate College Mansa as Punjab Education Service class 1 officer .
Shobha Koser is an approved examiner of Kathak Dance of Panjab University Chandigarh, Punjabi University Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. She has the credit of being a dance expert on the Advisory Bodies of different state governments and reputed organizations.
Shobha Koser is a Top Grade artist of Prasar Bharati Doordarshan . She is a creative artist par excellence who spends days and nights in research to investigate the best in the art of dance. She has the distinction of ushering in new styles which have further added luster and beauty to Kathak form of dancing thereby enhancing its prestige and extending its classical boundaries to new horizons She is a symbol of dedication to the art of dancing which has become her lifestyle .
She has the credit of being an integral part of internationally known cultural organization Pracheen Kala Kendra which she promoted all over India along with her husband . After the demise of her husband she is heading the Pracheen Kala Kendra as Registrar cum Treasurer . During the last over five decades Shobha Koser is engaged in organizing cultural programmes by inviting top notch artists of Indian classical music and dance including budding ones as a result of her distinguished work Chandigarh has been put on the cultural map of the world.
Her creativity and contribution to the art has been admired and appreciated through numerous awards and titles conferred upon her Nritya Shree, Nritya Surabhi, Nritya Urvashi ,Nritya Sharada ,Shreekshetra Nati, Abhinaya Samaragi , Amala Shankar Award, Pandit Manmohan Bhatt Memorial Award, K Lalitha Lifetime Achievement Award, Konark International Award, Kala Shiromani Award by the Madras Sangeet Natak Akademi , All India Critics Council of India Award twice , Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and most importantly.
She was honored with prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award 2017 for her enormous contribution to Kathak Dance.
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