Kathak Performance and Workshop Highlights
A glimpse into my journey with Kathak—from technique drills and intensive workshops to performances that bring our tradition to life.
This is a clip from a performance where I executed 105 continuous spins, or `chakkars`. This is the result of years of dedicated `riyaaz`, focusing on balance, speed, and maintaining a stable center.
A glimpse into one of my online workshops with over 50 students from around the world. My teaching is a `sawal-jawab` or question-answer, where we tackle everything from hand alignment in spins to preventing pain after practice.
Expression, or `Abhinay`, is the soul of Kathak. Here, I am interpreting a traditional `Kajri`, using subtle facial expressions and gestures to convey the story of a `nayika` longing for her beloved as monsoon clouds gather.
The energy of an in-person workshop is truly special. This was a session in Mumbai where we worked on both `Nritta` (pure dance) and `Abhinay` (expression), breaking down movements and learning together as a group.
Performing a solo Kathak piece at the Abhiratna 2025 awards ceremony. The stage is where our practice comes to life, combining technical precision with the grace of storytelling.
This is from one of my free 'Riyaaz with Pooja Pant' sessions. It was wonderful to have 75 dancers join online from different time zones, some in the middle of their night, just to practice together.
In Kathak, sometimes the dancer is also the singer. This is a moment from a `Baithak Thumri` session, where I am both singing and performing, exploring the deep connection between melody and movement.
A performance at the Natarani Amphitheatre in Ahmedabad. This piece showcases the power and speed of Kathak `chakkars`, a fundamental element of our `Nritta` technique that we work on extensively in my workshops.
About Featured
You will notice my approach is rooted in 'sawal-jawab' (question-answer). Whether we are in the studio or on Zoom, I don't just demonstrate; we break down movements like chakkar mechanics or tatkar speed together. If you feel pain or stiffness after a session, that is exactly what we fix by adjusting your alignment right then and there.
Kathak is more than just a performance; it is a lifelong sadhana. In these featured glimpses, you see the spectrum of my work: the technical precision required for 105 chakkars, the delicate storytelling of Abhinay, and the raw energy of our collective riyaaz sessions. My workshops are not lectures. We strip back the dance to its fundamental elements—alignment, posture, and rhythm.
When we work on Nritta, we focus on the mechanics of the feet and the spin, ensuring your knees are safe and your balance is absolute. When we explore Abhinay, we dive into Thumri, teaching you how to use your breath and facial expressions to tell a story.
Whether you are joining me online from across the globe or in a physical studio in Mumbai, the goal is the same: to make Kathak accessible. I keep my batch sizes smaller for in-person intensives so I can provide tactile, hands-on adjustments. For my online students, we use gallery view to ensure your posture is corrected in real-time. Kathak is a conversation, and I am here to help you find your voice in that dialogue.
Looking for specific Kathak training?
Tell us what you want to learn, and we will find the right session for you.
More from Kathak Workshops by Pooja Pant
More services by Pooja Pant