Kathak Dance Collective

KDC’s youth ensemble presenting Taal Damar

Building our Lavashika - like a vine climbing the trellis

Form flirting with formless 🔱

In the name of my ‘Ishta Devata’ — I dance

Today, we celebrate Pandit Priju Maharaj ji—my Guru, Paramguru, and one of the true architects of the Kathak art form as we experience it today. Through him, Kathak found a contemporary aesthetic while remaining deeply anchored in its classical soul.

It has been my life’s great privilege to study under him, to imbibe the bhaasha (language) of this art as he has shaped and transmitted it. Along with the gift of movement, rhythm, and aesthetics, he has given me something far greater—a community, a way of life, and an identity.

He has taught us that Kathak is not merely something we perform, but something we live. Every nuance, every silence, every expansion of the self through dance carries his imprint.

On his birthday, with deepest reverence— सादर प्रणाम, गुरुवर्य।
I bow at your lotus feet (चरणकमले नमनम्), in gratitude and humility.

Every performance we offer, every language we speak through our bodies, every experience and inner growth we arrive at—will always be in remembrance of you. Our Kathak community stands on the foundation you have laid, and we remain forever indebted.

This offering, and this moment, is in his honor.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। 🙏🏽

Kalaa Tapasya – Sādhana se Siddhi Tak was conceived as a space where discipline meets readiness.After an audition process, these two young dancers stood out unanimously—chosen by all four judges and invited to open the evening as curtain raisers for our Student Spotlight performance.

They are the youngest of our learners, yet they move with a quiet authority that feels lived-in. As Krishna and Radha, they brought charm and elegance, allowing clarity of movement, musical sensitivity, and presence to speak for itself. A reminder that when sādhana is sincere, mastery begins to reveal itself early.

KDC’s young learners:
Aekanshi as Krishna and Laavi as Radha

Event:
Kalaa Tapasya – Sādhana se Siddhi Tak (From Discipline to Mastery) — a student spotlight performance series celebrating dedication and growth.This is for students (all grade levels and age group) who show exceptional commitment, take initiative and are ready to take their learning to the next level and pursue excellence in their craft.

‘Kalaa Tapasya’ was born from a simple but powerful idea—what happens when curiosity, commitment, and craft meet excellence? For the first time, our selected students stepped beyond group training into a space where they could rehearse and perform with live music, building an entirely new repertoire created just for them. What made this evening truly special was watching the audience dissolve the line between “watching” and “participating.” In this clip, they are not just listening to rhythm; they are creating it with the dancers. The performance becomes a conversation, the space becomes shared, and art becomes something held between all of us.

Live music sangathkar: Partha Karmakar
Dancers: Layma & Kaavya

A sisterhood that shows up, dresses up, and lifts each other higher — one dance, one smile, one shared moment at a time

🪔 Sparklers of Kathak Dance Collective bringing joy and rhythm to Diwali celebrations!