Nutan Patwardhan is a Kathak Performer and Choreographer.
She is a disciple of guru Shama Bhateji of Pune. She learnt kathak under guru Manisha Sathe of Pune and trained in abhinaya under the late guru Madhurita Sarang. She is a Doordarshan graded artiste. She has choreographed many solo and group dances and performed at many renowned festivals. She is currently teaching at the Nalanda Nrityakala Vidyalaya.
Nutan started learning dance over 40 years ago under her guru and later did academic courses and today has the following educational qualifications:
- M.A. in Kathak with Distinction, Mumbai University, from the Nalanda Institute of Dance, Mumbai.
- Diploma in Kathak with Distinction, Nalanda Institute of Dance, Mumbai University.
- Nritya Visharadh in Kathak from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya (ABGM)
- Trained under renowned Guru Manisha Sathe of Pune, under late Guru Madhurita Sarang for advanced abhinaya training at Nritya Darshan Institute, and now under the guidance of Guru Shama Bhate of Pune.
- Teaching diploma students of kathak at Nalanda Institute of Dance, Mumbai University, Mumbai.
- Mumbai University examiner for kathak diploma course.
- Mumbai Doordarshan graded artiste.
Nutan has been performing from a young age and has a lot of experience in performing on stage at various festivals and occasions. Some of her performance experiences include:
- Performed at the Nataraja Festival in Chidambaram.
- Performed at the Tirupati Festival at Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams.
- Performed during the Pu. La. Deshpande Festival conducted in Mumbai in November 2011.
- Performed during the Panchtatva Festival held in Mumbai in May 2010.
- Performed during the Lakhshya Festival held in Mumbai in 2009.
- Choreographed and performed in the ballet Smriti Sankalp and Ajnamika, organized by Yuvak Biradri and performed at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan during February 2008.
- Choreographed and performed in the ballet Punya Teertha Bharat organized by Yuvak Biradri and performed at various locations and occasions in Mumbai.
- Performed at the National Youth Festival 2003, held at Nehru Centre, Mumbai in January 2003.
- Performed at the Raindrops Festival 2004, held in Mumbai.
- Performed all over Maharashtra on various occasions with Guru Manisha Sathe
- Performed for Mumbai Doordarshan for Maharashtra Darshan programme and choreographed and performed for Mumbai Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel during Navratna awards program.
Nutan has choreographed a number of performances both for individual as well as group performances. Her choreography experience includes:
- Choreographed for all Nalanda performances for various international conferences and other festivals.
- Choreographed the ballet Smriti Sankalp and Ajnamika, performed at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on 24 February 2008.
- Choreographed the ballet Punya Teertha Bharat performed at various locations and occasions in Mumbai.
- Choreographed and performed for Mumbai Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel during Navratna awards program.
- Choreographed items performed at performances and competitions around the state.
- Choreographed dances for the Indo-Japanese Cultural Association, Kolhapur.
- Obtained prizes for choreography at State and Bal Sahitya Sammelan performances.
Nutan has over 30 years of teaching experience in Kathak. Her teaching experience includes:
- Kathak classes in Avartan School of Kathak, training students in taal laya and abhinaya.
- Senior Teacher for M.A and advanced diploma courses in Kathak at the Nalanda Institute of Dance, Mumbai.
- 1986 – 1997: Kathak Dance Institute in Kolhapur, preparing students for ABGM, a Govt. of India recognized course for Kathak.
During her professional career she has had the good fortune of attending workshops conducted by well known gurus and performers. Some of the workshops and trainings attended include workshops conducted by:
- Pandit Birju Maharajji at Mumbai and Pune
- Smt. Rohini Bhate at Pune
- Smt Shama Bhate at Pune and Kolhapur
- Pandit Vijayashankarji at Mumbai
- Pandit Munna Shuklaji at Mumbai
- Pandit Suresh Talwalkarji at Mumbai and Kolhapur
