Kathak Workshops
Upadhye School Of Dance
I run practical Kathak workshops where anyone can join, ask questions, and learn technique and expression with personal feedback, both online and in-person.
Pricing Guide
Online Technical Drill Weekend
Format
- Platform: Live Zoom sessions with Gallery view monitoring.
- Duration: 2 to 3 days (Weekend), 90 to 120 minutes per session.
- Batch Size: Large group format (40 to 50 participants).
Curriculum
- Focus: Strictly Nritta (Technical Dance) covering Chakkar mechanics and Tatkar (footwork) speed.
- Alignment: Correction of posture faults like stiff knees or hunching.
- Music: Practice via electronic Tabla app to eliminate audio latency.
Support
- Q&A: Dedicated 'Sawal Jawab' segment for individual technical queries.
In-Person Studio Intensive
Venue & Logistics
- Facility: Professional A/C dance studio with suspended wooden flooring for joint safety.
- Duration: Weekend schedule (Saturday & Sunday), totaling 6 to 8 hours of training.
- Batch Size: Restricted to 15 to 25 students for safe movement.
Training Scope
- Content: Covers both Nritta (technique) and introductory Abhinay (expression).
- Correction: Physical, tactile adjustments of posture and angles by the instructor.
- Composition: Instruction on a short technical piece (Tukda/Paran) or Vandana.
Deliverables
- Certification: Physical Certificate of Participation signed by Pooja Pant.
- Padhant: Training in the recitation of rhythmic syllables.
Advanced Abhinay & Thumri Masterclass
Curriculum Depth
- Subject: Detailed deconstruction of a traditional Thumri (semi classical song) and lyrics.
- Technique: Application of theater based acting methods to unlock emotional range.
- Theory: Practical understanding of Nayika Bhed (character archetypes).
Experience Level
- Eligibility: Restricted to Intermediate and Advanced level dancers only.
- Feedback: Micro detailed critique on facial muscle usage, gaze (Drishti), and breath control.
Materials
- Audio: Access to the specific high quality audio track of the Thumri for personal practice.
- Accompaniment: Use of high fidelity custom recordings or occasional live accompaniment.
About Kathak Workshops
Dance is my lifelong sadhana. I treat every workshop as a space where we’re all students, learning and sharing the joy of Kathak together. No matter if you’re just starting out or you’ve been dancing for years, you’ll find a place here.
Who Can Join
Anyone who loves Kathak or wants to try it. I welcome beginners, intermediate dancers, and advanced folks. Sessions are tailored so you can jump in at your own level.
What We Explore
- Technique (Nritta): We work hard on chakkars and tatkar, aiming for clarity, speed, and balance. Sometimes your legs get stiff, sometimes you wobble - we tackle all that head-on.
- Expression (Abhinay): Storytelling is at the heart of Kathak. We dive into traditional pieces like Thumri, and I bring in acting tricks to help you find your own style.
- Specialised Sessions: Occasionally, we focus on choreography or dig deep into a particular taal.
Workshop Formats
- Online Kathak classes (Zoom): Join from anywhere, interact live.
- In-person intensives: I travel to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune for hands-on sessions.
- Free ‘Riyaaz with Pooja Pant’: Collective practice, open to all.
My Teaching Style
It’s all sawal-jawab (question-answer). Ask anything - alignment, pain after chakkars, whatever’s bugging you. I give honest, personal feedback so you actually grow. No stiff formalities, just real Kathak practice community.
Meet your Expert
Pooja Pant
292 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Namaskar! I’m Pooja Pant, Kathak dancer and actor, Mumbai based. My Guru, Smt Rajashree Shirke, shaped my dance life – those youth festival days still ring in my head. Now, I get to teach my students choreos I learnt 20 years ago, feels surreal! Lost my brother, Abhijeet, so started Abhiratna Awards for young artists, that’s my way of remembering him. I still goof up on vocals, but learning never stops, hai na? Sometimes I just burst out singing during rehearsals!
My Work
Kathak classes & certified courses - Teaching all levels at my Mumbai branches and online. Limited seats, we offer certified Kathak courses too.
Workshops for dancers - I run workshops on Kathak technique - chakkars, footwork. People join from all over, even at odd hours!
Performances & choreography - We do solo, group, and private event shows. Love creating new pieces - inspiration strikes anywhere, anytime.
