SHRI MADAN LAL KOSER

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.

DR. SHOBHA KOSER

Senior Kathak Guru and Exponent par-excellence 

SNA AWARDEE

Smt. Shobha Koser is a great Kathak danseuse, perhaps the finestone in India. Her dance is an integral part of her presentations. Launching herself as a full-fledged performer at the age of 15, she is indeed one of the rare devotees of this dance form. She has studied in minute detail practical and theoretical aspects of Kathak. Having learnt the intricacies of the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak from her Guru Kanhiya Lal, who himself was a worthy disciple of Nrityacharya late Guru Narayan Prasad, she also had the chance to polish her style from another established Guru of this Gharana, the Guru Kundan Lal Gangani. She was fortunate enough to have found in her husband late Guru Madan Lal Koser who was another great master of classical dances. Such disciple really went a long way in shaping her destiny as a dancer not just in India but abroad as well.

Nritta and Abhinaya bhava, which are the two most important facets of Kathak, have so well been integrated into her performer’s personality that Smt. Shobha Koser is able to execute these and other aspect of this dance form with utmost ease. This is primarily due to her devotion and passion for the dance which has ably imparted also to over a hundred of her disciples as the Head of the Dance Department at Government College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh. It is not without significance that her disciples are spread all over the world including the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Mauritius, Kazakhstan, Tashkent (Uzbekistan), etc.

Retired as Principal of Government Post-Graduate College, Mansa (PES-1), Smt. Shobha Koser has mastered every aspect of the Jaipur Gharana. She presents its facets like Taalas, Gats, Toras, Tukras, Paran, Chakkradar Paran extremely well to earn encomiums from the art critics. The subtlety of her footwork, portrayal of emotions through “Bhava”, graceful lyrical movements are only a few of the strong of her performances. She casts a magical spell on the audience as she appears to float as delicately as on the wings of a fresh, soft spring breeze while whirling with an astounding verve and vigour. 

It is her infinite capacity to involve herself and the audience with the dance performance that has enabled Smt. Koser to reach the front row of Indian classical dancers in the most natural way. She has been engaged in the dissemination of ancient arts all over the world through Pracheen Kala Kendra, the premier and one of the oldest organizations of the country.

Smt. Shobha Koser has been decorated with the titles of Nritya Shree, Nritya Surabhi, Nritya Urvashi, Shreekshetra Nati, etc. She has also been honoured with the Amala Shankar Award, Pandit Manmohan Bhatt Memorial Award, the K. Lalitha Lifetime Achievement Award and the Critics Council of India (CCI) Award twice. The Chennai-based Madras Sangeet Natak Akademi has also presented her with Kala Shiromani Award. She has also been presented with Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Konark International Award, for her eminent position as a performer and the sound theoretical knowledge of Indian classical dances.
Besides being rated as a Top grade artist by Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan), Shobha is a prominent member of Advisory Bodies of different State Governments, reputed organisations and Universities in the matter of art and culture. Presently, she holds the dual charge of Treasurer-cum-Registrar of Pracheen Kala Kendra.