Navina Jafa was lauded with the prestigious Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti Award 2024 for Indian Classical dance. Her unique contribution to the field is defined by her remarkable contributions to Indian classical dance, marked by distinct presentation style, scholarly pursuits, and cultural innovation. Amidst the backdrop of the Words in the Garden literary festival, Jafa’s unique achievements took centre stage, captivating the audience with a spellbinding dance performance by the honoree herself for Climate Action and Environmental awareness through Kathak dance and Poetry.
Distinguished for her trailblazing approach to Kathak and Indian classical dances, Jafa transcends conventional boundaries, infusing heritage sites with the essence of her performances across India. Through initiatives like #performingheritage and #dancebeyondstage, she democratises Kathak, making it accessible to diverse audiences through heritage walks and academic tours.
Moreover, Jafa seamlessly intertwines her scholarly endeavours with her artistic pursuits. Drawing upon her interdisciplinary expertise in art history and cultural heritage, she crafts insightful articles on tourism, cultural heritage, and dance critiques. Her work bridges the realms of dance and other art forms, offering a fresh perspective and innovative application of knowledge.
In a dazzling Kathak performance themed around environmental consciousness and climate action, Jafa showcased her creative prowess. Titled “Asha – Prakriti” (Hope and Nature), her performance artfully conveyed the wonders of nature, love, and hope through poetic expressions. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as 14th-century Mithila poetry and Urdu poets Jigar Muradabadi and Sacchal Sarmast, Jafa’s choreography breathed life into the rhythms of nature, blending dramatic artistry with technical Kathak mastery.
Supported by a talented ensemble including percussion virtuoso Fateh Singh Gangani, vocalists Zohaib and Shuheb Hasan, Sarod player young Madhav Kalra, recitation by young danseuse Parinita Khanna, and lighting by Rishabh Srivastava, Jafa’s performance left a lasting impact.
The award ceremony, graced by esteemed figures including Hindi poet Ashok Vajpeyi, former Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi, and designer Rajeev Sethi, underscored Jafa’s profound influence on the cultural landscape, highlighting her as a luminary in the realm of Indian classical dance and artistic innovation.
