Calcutta, Dec. 20 :    Calcutta, Dec. 20:  Kathak meets jazz, drums meet ghatam. Two women, one twirling on the ground, arms swaying, the other, ghungroos jingling to classical kathak steps, as dance students watch every move... Padatik, Wednesday morning, two weeks to go for a fusion programme on January 3 at Kala Mandir. Students, 'from eight to 35', and instructors are rehearsing their steps. Niki Constantinidinis, the brunette twirling on the floor, has been teaching contemporary dance, jazz and tap at Padatik for the past two months. She has worked with theatre personality and dance instructor Chetna Jalan to put together this performance, a mix of not only dance form, but sound as well. Composed by Bikram Ghosh, his blend of Indian and world music has been carefully designed 'to cater to the needs of both classical and contemporary elements of the performance'. Says Chetna: 'Both the dance and music used speak the language of today.' Traditional, however, does not mean rigid. 'Even my steps are not pure classical. Rather, they are derived from classical sensibility,' she explains. Bikram, who can be seen on the tabla at almost every Ravi Shankar concert, says: 'We've worked with classical bowls to include, for example, a conga beat'. But Niki admits that 'it wasn't easy'. The Greek native, who has lived in Germany, Holland and now in Belgium, didn't know anything about India till she made this trip. 'At first, I didn't think it would be possible...' The initial response from the students, too, was one of scepticism. 'I just didn't think I was fit enough to move my body as modern dance demands,' smiles Bidisha, a kathak student at Padatik for 10 years. But now, she's got into the groove, enjoying every minute of this 'unique experience'. The response, to begin with, was 'mixed' among contemporary dance students also. 'The dance we usually teach is rather filmi, as that's what people want. This is the first time we've been exposed to true modern dance,' explains Neelu, instructor-cum-student at the centre. The mix 'n match ensemble has been educative and entertaining for both schools. 'Indian music is very subtle. We had to adapt to suit modern movement, which uses the whole stage,' explains Bikram. It is not only traditional elements which have been modified. 'I have been greatly influenced by Kathak, which I am seeing for the first time,' says Niki, trying out a few steps herself.