Koshaben received her Bharatanatyam training from Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor in her childhood and from Ilakshiben’s stalwart disciple Kalaguru Smt. Ruchaben Bhatt, at the age of 45
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After Pausing Her Dance Journey at the age of 15, Koshaben Vora Revives Her Passion at the age of 45 and Reaches New Heights
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Yesterday, on October 27, the Arangethram event of Mrs. Koshaben Shaishav Vora was successfully compltered at the Nehru Foundation, Thalatej, Ahmedabad. It is worth noting that Koshaben is 48 years old, and her Arangethram held at this age can be said to be more of an event than a graduation ceremony.
Koshaben is a homemaker and also works as a visiting faculty of French at Nirma University. She has two daughters, the elder daughter is a doctor and the younger daughter is pursuing engineering.
Trained in Bharatanatyam during childhood by Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor
Koshaben began her Bharatanatyam training at the age of nine under the guidance of Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor. She took dance training from Ilakshiben for 7 consecutive years. Then she reached in 10th Std. In Gujarat, the children are expected to focus on their careers upon reaching the 10th standard. So, Koshaben also stopped her dance training after the 10th standard. As a result, after taking the Bharatnatyam training for 7 years, she could not perform her Arangethram. Arangethram means the first performance of the disciple on stage as an artist with the permission of their Guru, which Koshaben could not perform at that time.
Koshaben received strong support from her mother-in-law for her career
Koshaben got married and thereafter, as in typical Gujarati households, her family became her entire life. Her children’s careers and their hobbies became Koshaben’s priority! Koshaben’s parents-in-law are both practicing doctors, allowing her to manage the household and serve as the backbone of the family. However, her mother-in-law, Dr. Muktaben, was concerned that her daughter-in-law had fallen behind. “Do whatever you like, but it’s time to focus on your career,” Muktaben encouraged Koshaben.
Muktaben urged Koshaben to step outside the house. Following this, Koshaben studied French for three years, earning a diploma in the language. She then began working as a visiting faculty member, teaching French at GLS University for a while and then moved on to Nirma University.
Koshaben dedicates herself to completing her unfinished Arangethram at the age of 45
After completing 45 years of life, it was now time for Koshaben to steal a little more time from life and make use of it. When she discussed this with her husband, Shaishav Vora, he said, “When everything falls into place in life, one should pursue art, literature, or sports. Complete what you started years ago and left unfinished.” Koshaben expressed her concern that it would take a lot of time and require extensive practice. Shaishav Bhai encouraged her, saying, “If you love it, then you should do it. Go ahead!”
Koshaben decided to resume her unfinished Bharatanatyam training at the age of 45, which she had set aside at the age of 15. For this, she contacted Kalaguru Smt. Ruchaben Bhatt, a disciple of Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor, and joined the Kalyalm Nartan Academy.
For Kalaguru Smt. Ruchaben Bhatt, this was a challenging task, as she needed to break through the thirty years of stagnation in Koshaben’s training and reveal the artistry that Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor had nurtured within her, enhancing it further. She also had to be cautious to ensure that while breaking the barriers of time, the hidden talent within didn’t get damaged in the process!
It all began with an hour of practice, gradually increasing over time. Despite facing various physical challenges, Koshaben persevered. She also received continuous encouragement and support from her family. After three years of intensive training, Kalaguru Smt. Ruchaben informed Shaishav Bhai that it was time to set a date for the Arangethram in three to four months.
Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor became chief guest of the Arangethram
After the date for the Arangetram was decided, Koshaben’s rigorous training began with strict discipline. Alongside her French classes and family responsibilities, she underwent nearly six hours of intensive training every day! As the Arangethram was a solo performance requiring her to dance for two and a half hours, a stamina-building process was also incorporated. Finally, the day of the Arangethram approached. It wouldn’t be right for Koshaben’s Arangethram to take place without the presence of her first guru, Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor.
Due to her age, Ilakshiben ventured out very little. However, Koshaben and Shaishav Bhai went to visit her and extend their invitation. Moved by their warm invitation and the insistence of Smt. Ruchaben, she agreed to attend the event, leading to an extraordinary occasion at the auditorium in Ahmedabad. Shri P.K. Laheri and Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor attended the Arangethram as the Chief Guests.
During her speech at Koshaben Shaishav Vora’s Arangethram, Smt. Ilakshiben Thakor made a suggestion to her disciple, Kalaguru Smt. Ruchaben Bhatt, stating that it was time to innovate in Bharatanatyam. She proposed creating a new dance formation by merging Bharatanatyam with Garba. This idea of hers is truly like Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam Event organized at Somnath, Gujarat, i.e. the fusion of two cultures. The significance of this suggestion was heightened by the fact that it came from the esteemed Kalaguru Smt. Ilakshiben to her talented disciple Smt. Ruchaben, during the Arangethram event of both of their 48 years old student Koshaben. Such an event is indeed extraordinary!
The entire event became a remarkable testament to women’s empowerment and strength. Exemplifying the saying “Age is just a number,” 48-year-old Koshaben Vora successfully fulfilled her dream of performing her Arangethram. This inspiring program served as a beacon of hope for many women who often find themselves trapped in midlife crises or struggling with depression due to menopausal changes.
