An ardent disciple of Guru Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty, Probal Gupta is a prominent name in the world of Kathakali. Born with a natural flair for dancing, Probal took up Kathakali with singlemindedness, underwent rigorous training under the strict supervision of his guru and made his debut under the auspices of his guru in 1998. Currently Probal is taking advanced training in Kathakali under K. S. Srikumar.
Probal’s diligence and perseverance for this not-so-common dance form soon captured the attention of critics and connoisseurs of dance, and he has established himself as one of the finest exponents of the dance form. His dextrous footwork and intensive control over his body language combined with his command over the mudras of Kathakali has made him a great dancer.
Probal has had the honour of working with eminent personalities – Shyamala Bhave, Vyajyanti Kashi, and many others. He has performed all over Inidia and has received tremendous applause. A few of the festivals he has performed in are Bangar Fest 2007 organized by Nrityakalamandiram(Bangalore), Damaru Mahotsav 2007 (Bangalore), Navaratri Dance Festival 2006 (Bangalore), International World Dance day 2006 (Bangalore), Nataraja Dance Festival 2006 (Bangalore, Mysore), Sankranti Dance and Music Festival 2006 (Bangalore), Krishnanjali Dance and Music Festival 2005, organised by Bangalore Doordarshan, Isha Foundation Dance Festival 2005 (coimbatore), Uday Shankar Dance Festival (2000, 2004), ICCR (Bangalore -2005), ICCR (Calcutta- 2002), South Indian Food Festival 2004 (Calcutta), Padatik organised by Padatik and Anamika Kala Sangam (2001), and Exhibition of 30 years of German Dance History (2000). Probal was invited by Doordarshan, Bangalore, to perform as part of a jugalbandi work of Mohini Attam and Kathakali.
Probal also attended several workshops in Mohini Attam under Bharati Shivaji. In order to popularise Kathakali, Probal has given innumerable lecture-demonstration on Kathakali and has been accepted with tremendous applause. He even conducts workshops and crash courses and imparts regular training in Kathakali in his own Institution “centre for Kathakali Art” in Koramangala, Bangalore.
Probal has choreographed “Ritu Ranga” based on Tagore’s work in the Kathakali idiom with the effect of Sopana Sangeetam and has even won wide applause for composing and performing the character “Kotal” of Tagore’s dance-drama “Shyama” in the Kathakali idiom. He has been applauded by critics of composing and choreographing a dance ballet “Mahisasura Mardini” based on Kathakali and Manipuri idiom with two characters.
Probal is a graduate in English (Hons.) from the University of Calcutta.
Contact Probal Gupta, House No. 626, Centre for Kathakali Art, Ground floor.
Venkataswamy Reddy layout, 8th Block, 2nd Cross, Koramangala, Bangalore – 560095
Mobile no: +919886886740 Email: probal_gupta4@hotmail.com