Ananta Press is delighted to announce Jyoti Mansukhani as the official winner of the Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award for her remarkable non-fiction narrative, Nrityaकर्मी. Co-authored by Samhita Chaudhury, the book is a heartfelt biographical compilation celebrating the life, philosophy, relationships and artistic legacy of the distinguished Kathak exponent Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji.
This recognition honours a book that goes beyond recording the achievements of an accomplished artiste. Nrityaकर्मी presents the human being behind the performances, the Guru behind generations of students and the disciplined seeker behind an extraordinary artistic journey of more than six decades. Through carefully arranged narratives, memories, reflections, photographs and performance videos, the book offers readers an intimate and engaging account of a life devoted completely to Kathak.
The book has been structured into three thoughtfully developed sections. The first section traces Maneesha ji’s journey from childhood and early training to her growth as a performer, teacher, Guru and respected legend. The inclusion of photographs of her parents, Gurus, family, solo performances and work with students gives this section warmth and historical depth. The accompanying videos of selected performances further strengthen the experience by allowing readers to witness the grace, discipline and expressive power that words alone cannot fully capture.
The second section highlights the deep relationships Maneesha ji has built throughout her artistic life. It includes thirty-two contributions filled with personal memories and meaningful anecdotes. Each write-up carries a unique tagline that reflects its central feeling. The participation of respected Gurus and artistes, including Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar ji, Pt. Rajendra Gangani ji, Pt. Jai Kishan Maharaj ji, Shama Bhate ji, Dr. Sucheta Chapekar ji and Pt. Nandkishore Kapote ji, adds authenticity, variety and cultural importance to the book. Their voices reveal the respect Maneesha ji has earned across generations and artistic disciplines.
The third section brings together reflections from senior students who represent different decades of Maneesha Nrityalaya. Their words show how a true Guru shapes not only performers but also personalities, values and lives. These honest and emotional accounts provide a moving picture of Maneesha ji’s influence as a teacher and mentor. They also help readers understand the meaning of artistic tradition as something that is practised, shared and carried forward through devoted students.
The Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award recognises books and authors whose work brings originality, literary value, cultural relevance and a meaningful contribution to readers. Nrityaकर्मी strongly reflects these qualities. The award committee selected the book for its sensitive documentation of an important artistic life, its rich combination of biography and collective memory, and its valuable contribution to the preservation of India’s classical dance heritage.
Jyoti Mansukhani’s approach is respectful, detailed and deeply personal. Her admiration for Maneesha ji is present throughout the work, yet the book also gains strength from the many independent voices included within it. This gives the narrative emotional sincerity as well as wider credibility. Samhita Chaudhury’s contribution as co-author further supports the careful organisation and presentation of this extensive material.
The originality of Nrityaकर्मी lies in the way it combines a biographical journey with photographs, performance records, testimonies, memories and the voices of students. It is not only a tribute but also an archive of artistic relationships and cultural history. Readers interested in Kathak, Indian classical arts, mentorship, discipline and creative dedication will find the book informative and inspiring. Young artistes may especially learn from Maneesha ji’s lifelong commitment, while general readers can connect with the values of perseverance, humility, sensitivity and devotion.
By honouring Nrityaकर्मी, the Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award also recognises the importance of documenting the lives of artists who have strengthened India’s cultural identity. Such books preserve stories that might otherwise remain scattered across memories, photographs and personal conversations. Jyoti Mansukhani and Samhita Chaudhury have brought these valuable elements together in a form that can educate, inspire and remain accessible to future generations.
Ananta Press warmly congratulates Jyoti Mansukhani on receiving this distinguished recognition. We also acknowledge Samhita Chaudhury’s contribution as co-author and extend our respect to Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji, whose extraordinary life and service to Kathak form the soul of this book. May Nrityaकर्मी reach a wide readership and encourage greater appreciation for Indian classical dance, dedicated Gurus and the enduring power of artistic legacy. We wish the author continued success and honour her meaningful contribution to literature, biography and cultural preservation.
JURY FEEDBACK
Glenville Ashby
Nrityaकर्मी is an impressive and carefully developed account of an artist whose life has been shaped by discipline, devotion and continuous learning. What stood out to me was the book’s ability to present Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji as both a celebrated Kathak exponent and a sensitive human being. The first section gives readers a clear understanding of her journey from childhood to becoming a respected performer and Guru. The photographs and performance videos make the narrative more vivid and help readers connect with different stages of her life. The second section adds great value because it brings together reflections from senior Gurus, artistes, musicians and technicians. These varied voices create a fuller and more trustworthy portrait. The final section, featuring senior students, is especially moving because it shows how deeply a teacher can influence generations. Jyoti Mansukhani and Samhita Chaudhury have created a meaningful tribute that also serves as an important cultural record. The book deserves recognition for preserving an artistic legacy with sincerity and care.
Roxana Jaffer
Reading Nrityaकर्मी felt like entering a world built through rhythm, discipline, relationships and deep respect for tradition. The book does not simply list achievements. It allows the reader to understand the values and emotions behind Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji’s long journey in Kathak. I appreciated the three-section structure because each part reveals a different side of her life. The first presents her personal and artistic growth, supported by photographs and videos that make the experience lively. The second includes thoughtful contributions from highly respected members of the artistic community. Their anecdotes and individual perspectives show the lasting impression she has made on colleagues and fellow practitioners. The third section gives space to her senior students, whose reflections demonstrate the strength of her teaching and mentorship. Jyoti Mansukhani’s heartfelt connection with the subject gives the book warmth, while Samhita Chaudhury’s contribution helps bring the extensive material together. This is a valuable book for dancers, teachers, students and readers who wish to understand how an artistic legacy is created and carried forward.
Apeksha Gupta
Nrityaकर्मी is a sincere, informative and emotionally rich tribute to Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji. The book’s strongest quality is its balanced presentation of her achievements, relationships and role as a Guru. Readers are introduced to more than six decades of artistic dedication, beginning with her childhood and training and continuing through her growth as a performer, teacher and respected figure in Kathak. The photographs of her family, Gurus, performances and students give the biography a personal quality that makes it easy to connect with. I found the thirty-two contributions in the second section particularly significant. Each reflection offers a different memory, and together they show the respect she has earned from senior Gurus, artistes, musicians and others associated with her journey. The students’ accounts in the final section add emotional depth and reveal the values she has passed on through Maneesha Nrityalaya. Jyoti Mansukhani and Samhita Chaudhury have preserved important memories in an organised and accessible form. The book is original in presentation and valuable for future generations interested in Indian classical dance.
Asha Seth
The beauty of Nrityaकर्मी lies in its warmth and honesty. It presents Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji not only through her public achievements but also through the memories of people who have known, worked with and learned from her. This makes the book feel personal while still offering substantial information about her contribution to Kathak. The first section traces her development over six decades and shows the dedication required to grow from a young learner into a legendary performer and Guru. The use of photographs and performance videos adds life to the written narrative. The second section is especially valuable because the thirty-two write-ups offer many viewpoints and memorable anecdotes. The unique taglines give each contribution its own identity. The final section, containing reflections from senior students across different decades, shows the continuity of her teaching and the strength of Maneesha Nrityalaya. Jyoti Mansukhani’s tribute is thoughtful and respectful, and Samhita Chaudhury’s role as co-author strengthens its presentation. This book is a meaningful contribution to biography, dance literature and cultural documentation.
Neel Preet
Nrityaकर्मी successfully captures the long and inspiring journey of Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji through a format that is detailed, engaging and emotionally meaningful. I was impressed by the way the book combines biography with photographs, videos, personal memories and reflections from the wider artistic community. This approach gives readers more than one view of the subject and helps them understand her influence as a performer, teacher and mentor. The first section provides a strong foundation by presenting her childhood, training and artistic development over more than six decades. The second section expands the narrative through contributions from senior Gurus, artistes, musicians and technicians, making the book a collective record of respect and shared experience. The final section is deeply touching because the senior students describe how their Guru shaped their art, discipline and personal growth. Jyoti Mansukhani and Samhita Chaudhury have handled the material with sensitivity and clear purpose. The book will inspire young dancers and also help general readers appreciate the patience, sacrifice and devotion behind a lasting classical arts legacy.
Deepak Seth
Nrityaकर्मी is an important work because it documents a distinguished artistic life while also preserving the voices and relationships surrounding it. Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe ji’s journey is presented with respect, clarity and emotional depth. The book shows that excellence in classical dance is not achieved through talent alone but through discipline, determination, humility and lifelong devotion. The first section offers a detailed record of her development from childhood to her position as a renowned performer and Guru. Its photographs and performance videos make the material more immediate and memorable. The second section contains valuable accounts from respected Gurus, artistes and other collaborators. These write-ups provide different perspectives and confirm the broad impact of her work. The final section gives special importance to the students of Maneesha Nrityalaya, showing how her teachings continue through successive generations. Jyoti Mansukhani’s personal admiration gives the narrative sincerity, while Samhita Chaudhury’s co-authorship contributes to its organised structure. This book is both a tribute and a cultural archive, making it worthy of the Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award.
