Saira Banu pays tribute to Kashmir Ki Kali choreographer on Guru Poornima: ‘I consider myself lucky’

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, Saira Banu shared a thank you note to her mentors. She spoke about the importance of this event and the impact mentors have on our lives. Saira felt fortunate to have had great gurus who shaped her career in Indian cinema and her life with Dilip Kumar.

Sharing a carousel of photos, she wrote, “Personally, I see this as a time to be grateful and appreciative every day. I consider myself fortunate to have been blessed by many revered gurus throughout my life, whose teachings and guidance have shaped me deeply, especially in my journey through Indian cinema and after my marriage to Dilip Sahib.”

She wrote about Roshan Kumari Ji, a Padma Shri awardee and Kathak expert who worked with Satyajit Ray. Roshan Kumari Ji taught her Kathak and greatly influenced her success in classical dance. Saira thanked Kumari for her dedication and guidance, saying, “She imparted to me the art of classical dance – the Kathak of the Jaipur Gharana. Her grace and discipline were nothing short of a masterclass and a blessing to the Indian art form. Everything I have achieved in classical dance is attributed to her; she dedicated herself fully to nurturing and shaping me as a classical dancer.”

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She also mentioned PL Raj Ji, who choreographed Kashmir Ki Kali for her debut film Junglee and worked with her on other films. Moreover, her rehearsal composer Shalini Deshpande worked hard to help her perfect her dance moves. “I had the privilege of working during ‘Junglee’ where he beautifully choreographed ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, my very first song, and continued to collaborate with me on subsequent films. So did my rehearsal composer Shalini Deshpande who left no stone unturned and painstakingly rehearsed with me the moves assigned to me in the respective dances,” she added.

She remembers them with great love and respect and wrote that she felt the need to share their stories and the lasting impact they had on her life.

She also mentioned PL Raj Ji, who choreographed Kashmir Ki Kali for her debut film Junglee and worked with her on other films. Moreover, her rehearsal composer Shalini Deshpande worked hard to help her perfect her dance moves. “I had the privilege of working during ‘Junglee’ where he beautifully choreographed ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, my very first song, and continued to collaborate with me on subsequent films. So did my rehearsal composer Shalini Deshpande who left no stone unturned and painstakingly rehearsed with me the moves assigned to me in the respective dances,” she added.

She remembers them with great love and respect and wrote that she felt the need to share their stories and the lasting impact they had on her life.