Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana are a sister duo from Agra in Uttar Pradesh known for their great performances of the Benaras Gharana style of Kathak. They are also known for their contributions to the popularisation of the Benaras Gharana style of Kathak both in India and abroad.[1][2][3]
Both Kamalini and Nalini were born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Their father, B P Asthana, was in the service of the Royal Air Force and their mother, Shyama Kumari Asthana was a Hindustani vocalist.[1] Though they were born in Agra, they were brought up in Delhi. They had their education in Delhi Kannada School run by the Mysore Government and in Venkateswara College. It was a chance meeting with Guru Jitendra Maharaj of Benares Gharana that brought Kamalini and Nalini to the world of dance and of Kathak in particular. Nalini and Kamalini began learning Kathak in 1973 and the duo's arangetram (first performance) happened in Kochi, Kerala while they were traveling with their guru.[1] The sister duo set up the Sangeetka Institute of Performing Arts in Delhi in 1975 which is an institute to give training in Kathak and classical music.
The first overseas trip of Kamalini and Nalini was in 1983 to attend the UFTAA Conference in Paris, France. Even though the tour was planned for only two weeks, they continued their tour and performances for nearly two years and a half. During this extended trip, the duo performed in Torremolinos and Madrid in Spain, in Dublin, Ireland and in the ISKCON in London. One of their important performances was for BBC's Eastern Eye hosted by Karan Thapar. They have also made a film titled "Voyage of Kathak" for The Inner London Education Authority (ILEA). They also gave lecture demonstrations in many educational institutions in London.
They have set a record by dancing at the height of 18,000-ft at Kailash Mansarovar and Badri Nath.[4]