Kathak Training in the Guru-Shishya Tradition
Kathak is a lifelong journey of learning. Rooted in the traditional Guru-Shishya parampara, I pass on the same discipline, technique, and grace that I received from my Guru, Smt. Rajashree Shirke.
On Guru Pournima and every day, I am indebted to my Gurus. This image is a tribute to Smt Rajashree Shirke and my vocal guru, who have guided me on my artistic path.
An emotional moment attending a class by my Guru, Smt Rajashree Shirke, with my guru bhaginis (fellow disciples) after 15 years. It brought back my entire childhood and reminded me of the blessing of having her as a teacher.
A treasured memory of being blessed by the legendary choreographer Saroj Khan ji at our 'Rivaayat' event in 2018. It was an honour to receive encouragement from such an icon of Indian dance.
A photo from an enchanting evening of Kathak celebrating Guru Pournima. It was a pleasure to host and watch amazing artists, each with their own unique approach to our shared love for this art form.
My dance company performing a Shiv Dhrupad, a composition written by the historic musician Baiju Bawra. Performing such traditional pieces connects us to the deep history and lineage of our art form.
About My Roots: The Guru-Shishya Tradition
When you join my classes, you aren't just learning steps from a video. You are entering a lineage. Whether we are in the studio in Mumbai or connecting via Zoom, I emphasize Anga Shuddhi (body posture) and the rhythmic discipline that my Guru instilled in me. It is a space where we focus on real-time corrections, honest feedback, and the deeper sawal-jawab with the music that defines Kathak.
Learning Kathak is not just about mastering chakkars or footwork. It is about understanding the conversation between the dancer and the musicians. My training approach focuses on two pillars: Nritta, the technical side of rhythm and form, and Abhinay, the art of storytelling through expression.
My classes are designed for serious learners who want to go beyond the basics. In my Mumbai studios in Juhu, Vile Parle, and Virar, we train in batches of 10 to 20 students. This allows me to provide individual attention, ensuring your posture is correct and your rhythm is sharp. We use wooden flooring to ensure safety, and I often bring in live Tabla and Harmonium players so students learn to dance with the nuance of live accompaniment, not just recorded tracks.
For those learning online, I have adapted my teaching method to ensure you still get the benefits of this lineage. We focus on spotlighting techniques for posture correction and use recorded rhythm tracks to build your stamina. Whether you are a beginner looking to wear your first ghungroos or an advanced student preparing for certification, my goal is to guide you with the same patience and rigour that shaped me as a dancer.
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