2024 Artist Lineup

Born to a family of legal and medical professionals, Saswati Sen took to dance at an early age. She received her initial training at Delhi’s Kathak Kendra under the guidance of Smt Reba Vidyarthi. She received the National Scholarship in Performing Arts and graduated to become the prime disciple of Pt Birju Maharaj. Saswati is the proud recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2004-2005 and also the Sanskriti Award, the Shringar Mani Award and the Critic’s Recommendation Award.

Saswati today is regarded as an artist with immense versatility and talent and one of the best exponents of the famed Lucknow Gharana. She has trained a large number of students, many from overseas. She has acquired the true style of her mentor and incorporates into her own presentation both the lyrical grace and rhythmic virtuosity of Kathak. However, her forte is abhinaya which has always received high appreciation. Ms. Sen today is the driving force behind Kalashram, Pt Birju Maharaj’s dream institution and is its Secretary. She also finds time for her primary avatar as guru, and teaches the nuances of Kathak to all seekers.

She travels extensively at home and abroad disseminating the knowledge she has gained over years of dedication and keeps the Kalashram Kathak community together. She has choreographed several group compositions as well as dance-dramas.

Vidha Lal

New Delhi, India

Vidha Lal, a Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee by central Sangeet Natak Akademi is a Kathak Exponent of Jaipur Gharana. She took her Kathak training under the tutelage of Smt. Geetanjali Lal from National Institute of Kathak (Kathak Kendra, New Delhi) and later pursued higher training under guru shishya parampara from Geetanjali Lal. 

Vidha Lal has performed extensively in major Dance festivals in India and abroad - London Olympic, Sydney Dance Festival, Milap Fest Liverpool UK, Singapore Dance festival at Esplanade, Khajuraho dance festival, Nishagandhi Dance Festival Trivandrum etc. to name a few.

Vidha Lal is an empaneled artist from Indian Council for Cultural Relations and 'A' graded artist from Delhi Doordarshan, the national TV channel of India. 

Vidha has been conferred with Shri Krishana Gana Sabha Endowment award, Kalpana Chawla Excellence award, Devdasi National award, Young Women achievers award by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Atal Samman etc. Vidha Lal also holds a Guinness world record for taking maximum number of spins in a min - 103 in 60 seconds. She is a Gold medalist MA (Kathak) from Khairagarh University - Chattisgarh. 

Presently Vidha is an Executive board member of the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi and Advisory member of Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. Vidha is also the founder director of Kathak Resonance Dance Academy based in New Delhi that trains over students of Kathak. 

Rachna Nivas

Los Angeles and New York City

Rachna Nivas is a performing artist, choreographer, educator, community organizer, and activist of Indian classical art with a mission to uphold its authenticity while thoughtfully advancing its modernity. She is one of the most accomplished kathak dance practitioners of her generation, called by critics “revelatory” and “charismatic” who “radiates power and grace”. Her work is rooted in elevating feminine consciousness and Eastern philosophies challenging Eurocentric cultural paradigms. Having risen to principal dancer in legendary Pandit Chitresh Das’ acclaimed company for 17 years, today Rachna is Co-Artistic Director of LA-based Leela Dance Collective and directs Leela’s New York City training center.

Rachna was awarded the prestigious New York Public Library for Performing Arts Dance Research Fellowship and NYC’s CUNY Dance Initiative residency. Her original works include ‘Reclaiming the Divine Feminine', embodiment of tantric Goddess Kali’s uncontainable feminine energy; 'Unedited', her risk-bound solo highly improvised with musicians; 'SPEAK', collaboration of leading women in kathak and tap; 'Son of the Wind', large-scale dance ballad on epic Ramayana; 'Meera', story of medieval princess finding liberation. Notable tours of Rachna’s works include LA’s Ford Theaters, Broad Stage, San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, New York Live Arts, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, India’s National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, New Delhi’s Epicenter.

As an educator, Rachna has trained and mentored students on the West and East Coasts with an aim to foster excellence in kathak. Amongst South Asians, Rachna strives to engender pride and ownership of decolonized Indian artistic tradition.

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Pallavi Degwekar is an accomplished artist and guru based out of New Jersey, USA. Her teaching and solo expertise encompasses experience of over more than 2 decades now. She is been awarded with several prestigious awards and have performed extensively at reputable venues in the USA and internationally. Notable achievements - only Kathak recipient for Dance New Jersey Regrant Fellowship 2023, Invited at Colgate University as a guest lecturer. Received National award - Akhil Bhartiya Pratibha Puraskar, title of "Singar Mani" to name a few. Performances at prestigious stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center etc.

Salonee Shatagar, is a senior disciple of Pallavi Degwekar, and has been learning under her guidance for the past 12 years. 

Today, as a senior at the College of New Jersey, she has discovered her passion for dance. She has performed solo at various events, including Montclair State University's Show up & Dance Young Artists Category in 2023. She has also won the Sathyabhama award at the Sathyabhama Yuva Nrityotsav in 2022, held in Vishakapatnam. 

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Meenal Chakradeo

San Diego, California

Known for her grace and expressions, Meenal is an avid performer and a versatile choreographer. She is a disciple of Benaras Gharana stalwart Shambhavi Dandekar and a Taal Vidya student of Pt. Divyang Vakil. Meenal's initial Kathak training took place in India under the guidance of Shri Suresh Dharmadhikari, an artist of Jaipur Gharana lineage. Under his tutelage, Meenal completed her Nritya Visharad from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (Khairagarh University), graduating at the top of her class and earning the prestigious Gold Medal.

Meenal is also a published author having recently coauthored a Kathak book "Kathak Theory Part 1" to help students understand Kathak terminology. This book is widely being used by students undertaking certification exams in India, the USA, and other countries. 

Meenal has performed at various dance festivals and programs in India, Dubai, and the USA. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of 'Meenal’s Academy of Performing Arts' in San Diego, California, which is in its 15th year of operation. She enjoys sharing her passion and love for Kathak with students of all age groups.

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Tanveer Alam

Toronto, Canada

Toronto-based Tanveer Alam started his Kathak training with Sudeshna Maulik and continued further nuanced studies with Sandhya Desai. Alam is a 2019 graduate of Dance Arts Institute of Canada (DAI).

Alam has performed in the works of Rina Singha, Lata Pada, Padmini Chettur, Brandy Leary, Harikishan S. Nair, Sashar Zarif, Lucy Rupert, and Peter Chin, to name a few. As an emerging choreographer, he has presented work at SummerWorks Festival, Battery Dance Festival +, MAI - Montréal, arts, interculturels, CanAsian Dance Festival: Grit Short Dances, and Tangente. Alam has been supported by Toronto Arts Council, The Ontario Arts Council, and The Canada Council for the Arts.

Across the 22/23 season,  Alam premiered The Tagore Project (co-choreographed by Atri Nundy), at Tangente and Sampradaya Dance Creations, and presented Haazri, a new Kathak solo for The National Ballet of Canada’s Sharing The Stage program. His first full length solo entitled Leher, was presented at Native Earth’s Aki Studio in June 2023. In 2024, Alam choreographed Moving for the second year students of (DAI).  tanveerdance.com 

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Kriti Rakesh

Cary, North Carolina

Kriti began her Kathak training at the age of 4 under Dr. Shashi Sankhla - Jaipur gharana (disciple of Nrityacharya Shri Kundan Lal Gangani). She won a scholarship award from Government of Rajasthan for 2 consecutive years and performed her first Kathak solo at the age of 9. She earned a Diploma in Kathak from Jaipur Kathak Kendra. Kriti came to America and earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. In 2007 she moved to the triangle and worked on her post doctoral research in Cardiovascular Sciences at Duke University. In 2010, Kriti consciously decided to make a career switch and follow her true calling - Kathak. She further pursued her learning under Pandita Maneesha Sathe - Banaras Gharana (disciple of Nataraj Gopi Krishna) and earned an Advanced Diploma in Kathak from Bharati Vidyapeeth University (Pune). In 2023, her academy was recognized as a non-profit public charitable organization - Aakriti Kathak Foundation. By creating more and more performance platforms, Kriti now aspires to support budding Kathak artists across America.

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Bhairavi Kumar and Troupe

Los Angeles

Bhairavi Kumar, a luminary in the world of classical Indian dance, epitomizes the essence of Kathak through her multifaceted artistry as a dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She began her training under the guidance of Smt. Shiveni Pandya, shagird of Pt. Lacchu Maharaji. Bhairavi Kumar continued her training and became a Gandha Bandhan shagird of Vidushi Uma Dogra, disciple of Pt. Durgalalji. 

Her illustrious career has been adorned with several accolades, including the Raas Ratna Award from the Hindustan Arts & Music Society, Calcutta where she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her valuable contribution in the field of arts, culture, and music. She also received the distinguished gold medal and Menaka trophy at Bombay University. Her performances have graced stages worldwide enriching audiences at venues like NCPA, ISKCON, the Malhar Festival, and the Kaleidoscope Festival. 

Bhairavi Kumar established the Nrityodaya Kathak Academy of Los Angeles in 1989 as a sanctuary of the arts devoted to preserving the culture of Kathak dance and classical Indian art. Taking the gracefulness of the Lucknow Gharana and vigor of the Jaipur Gharana, the dance style she formed is a unique and captivating blend. Her influence resonates through her mentorship of seven shagirds, who take her legacy of Kathak into the future. Under Bhairavi’s guidance, NKA has hosted legends like Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Jayanti Mala, and Pt. Rajendra Gangani. The academy’s performances from bi-annual productions to the stages of the San Jose SAP Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts have charmed audiences. 

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Pooja Ganesh

California

Pooja has been training in Kathak over the last 13 years under Smt. Nirupama Rajendra and Shri T.D.Rajendra. She has had the privilege of performing with Abhinava Dance Company at the prestigious Mysore Dasara Festival, Bangalore International Film Festival, ZEE5 Awards & Alvas NudiSiri. She has learnt Karanas, a special movement vocabulary of Natyashastra from her Smt. Nirupama. She has attended Kathak workshops of legendary gurus like Padma Bhushan Kumudini Lakhiaji and Pandit Birju Maharajji organized by ADC. In the US, she is practicing under the guidance of Parul Shah and Smt. Nirmala Madhava (Pampa), also working as a collaborative artist with other companies (NDC, Naatak). She has rendered solo recitals for various organizations at New York, Seattle, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles and Bay Area. She has recently premiered her work as a part of Silambams YUVA Festival 2023 (featured on Narthaki) at Houston and presented it as a solo at Yuva Bharati, California. She was a part of Navatman’s Mahabharata that has been selected for film festivals.

Pooja is also an accomplished vocalist, practicing over 18 years under the guidance of Padma Srinivasan, Shri Narahari Dixit and Para.Manjunath, renderering concerts at prestigious festivals across India and US.

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Juan Du (Sachita)

Beijing, China

Juan Du (Sachita) is a performer and scholar from Beijing, China with 26 years of experience. She received intensive training in Chinese dance starting at the age of 8 and was recognized as an A Class Dance Expert by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. Since 2013, she has been training in Kathak at Embassy of India, Beijing. In 2016, she moved to Delhi and became the disciple of Pradipto Kumar Chakraborty (disciple of Jai Kishan Maharaj) in Lucknow Gharana. She has also received guidance from Sujata Banerjee & Jai Kishan Maharaj. Juan Du has performed solo and duet on renowned stages in India, UK & China such as University of Oxford, The Bhavan (London), Shri Ram Center (Delhi), Triveni Sangam (Delhi), NCPA China, China Central Television,and intensively performed in events organized by Embassy Of India, Beijing over the past decades. Juan is currently serving as a local secretary at Culture Wing, Embassy Of India, Beijing since 2020; she is also a research fellow in South Asian dance at China-India Cultural Exchange Center, Yunan Minzu University, and hosted more than 100 events over the past decade in China. She is an MA degree holder in Social Anthropology from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University Of London.

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SISK Dance Ensemble

California

SISK Dance Ensemble, performing troupe of Shambhavi Dandekar's Shambhavi's Intl School of Kathak has danced at prestigious occasions in many parts of the world. In USA, they've performed in San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Phoenix, Fort Wayne, IL, etc, in prestigious venues and festivals. The Ensemble has also performed in Dubai at International India Convention. The Ensemble members are Ms. Dandekar's senior students training at SISK to be professional grade dancers. 

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Aaheli Chakraborty

Durham, North Carolina

Aaheli's Kathak journey began under her mother, Smt. Swapna Chakraborty, at the age of 3. At 7, she joined workshops with Pandit Birju Maharajji, later training with him and Saswati Sen in Delhi. She was also trained under the guidance of Smt. Moli Roy and Padatik Dance Centre in Kolkata. In 2016, she earned the National Scholarship Senior and pursued master's degrees in Kathak and Marketing Management. Teaching started at 14, assisting her mom at her institute—Ankush Kala Bhavan. She gradually took on independent teaching, handling 300 students there. 

Aaheli's talents reached global stages, performing in ICCR tours in South Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and Reunion under Smt. Maitreyee Pahari. She also performed in "Mughal-e-Azam the Musical" in India, Muscat, Dubai, and Doha. Solo acts in Germany and United States showcased her skills.

Aaheli's film debut was in "Bajirao Mastani," featuring in the enchanting 'Mohe Rang Do Laal,' choreographed by Pt. Birju Maharajji. Her journey is a blend of tradition, education, and global performances, highlighting her dedication to Kathak.

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Indrajit Roy-Chowdhury is one of the most talented young exponents of Rampur Senia Gharana in the venerated lineage of, Pandit Birendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury and Pandit Subroto Roy Chowdhury. Primarily trained in the Veen-Kar style of Sitar which draws techniques and idioms of the Veena, Indrajit has been able to carve a niche for himself with his eclecticism and versatility. Indrajit strives for a fine balance of traditionalism coupled with innovation and is renowned for his meditative alaap and brilliant fast taans.

Indrajit is based out of New York and maintains a rigorous tour schedule across the continents. As an international artist, Indrajit has performed in a range of distinguished venues, notably: Dover Lane Music Conference, Kolkata, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, The Lincoln Center, New York, The Hammerstein Theater of New York, Toronto National Convention Center, Berlin Indian Embassy, Concordia Arts Poznan, Poland, Chayanaut Auditorium, Dhaka and Ramakrishna Mission Cultural Centre, Kolkata.

Indrajit has given numerous performances on radio shows namely WKCR (New York City), WCR (Wolverhampton, UK). He is known for his mesmerizing performances on various Doordarshan Programs on Indian Television namely: Telescope, DD Bangla’s 20th Annniversary, Camera Cholche and Sokal Sokal. He was recently invited for a captivating performance on a morning show by Tara Muzik called Aaj Sokaler Amontrone. Indrajit has also embellished various NBC shows with his music compositions.

Indrajit upholds close affiliation with various Universities and Colleges and often visits them for lecture recitals or concerts. Some of the notable Universities include Yale University, Connecticut, Duke University, North Carolina, Florida State University, Iona College, New York, North Carolina State University, Stonybrook State University, New York, Maharishi University of Management, Iowa, Princeton University, New Jersey, Hunter College, New York, RKM Vidyamandir, Belur and Oberstufenreal Gymnasium, Innsbruck.

Brought up between USA and India, Indrajit has a rich diversified background to draw which is clearly observed in his collaborations and own compositions. As a versatile and creative musician, he has performed with distinguished artists from other genres including the acclaimed Jazz artist, Wynton Marsalis. Indrajit has also collaborated with the Orchestra- Jazz at Lincoln Center and the same was featured in the film “Song of Lahore” which was premiered in Tribeca Film Festival.

In addition to his collaborations and tour performances, Indrajit is an arduous and a disciplined teacher. He was a visiting faculty of the renowned Department of Indian Classical Music at University of Pennsylvania and has conducted many student workshops in USA, UK and India. Indrajit is currently running Kolkata Sitar School, founded by his Guru, Pandit Subroto Roy Chowdhury and is humbly carrying his legacy by teaching many students around the world under his tutelage.

Rohan Misra is a promising young musician, specializing in the unique Indian bowed instrument called the Sarangi. As the son and disciple of great Sarangi virtuoso Pandit Ramesh Misra, Rohan has inherited many of his father-Guru’s specialties, including tonal quality and aesthetic approach. Rohan Started learning the Sarangi from his father at the age of six. His exposure to music since early childhood attracted him to learn other Indian instruments as well. He has been learning Tabla from the renowned maestro Samir Chatterjee. Rohan is also pursuing his education in western music, particularly focusing on the Piano and Clarinet. Coming out of the family of nine generations of Sarangi players, Rohan aspires to be successful as the 10th generation in his lineage. He also wishes to further his musicality by blending certain aspects of western music into his heritage of Indian classical music to emerge with a unique musical expression. Rohan has performed at the Carnegie Hall, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., California and North Carolina. He has performed with luminaries such as Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Samir Chatterjee, among others.

Classical tabla soloist and accompanist Mike Lukshis has established himself as a leading tabla performer and educator in the NYC area. He is regularly sought after for his kathak accompaniment by artists across the US. With 20 years of direct, gurukul style training by spiritual guru and tabla composer Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil, Mike is continuously imbued with the living tradition of tabla. Through his ongoing tutelage, Mike is carrying forward the Delhi and Ajrada Gharanas, or schools of tabla, to future generations. He is a lead performer of several groups such as contemporary classical tabla ensemble Talavya, Pradhanica Dance and Music Company, and the experimental electronic trio TablaTun. In addition to extensive touring of North America and India, Mike is also a full time teacher and manager of the Taalim School of Indian Music, serving diverse communities around NYC and NJ. As well, he is an executive board member for non-profit organizations Taalim Foundation and Anga Kala Dance Company.

Sanjeev Ramabhadran is a graduate of Princeton and Duke Universities with a professional career in the pharmaceutical industry. However, music is and always has been his passion. Born and raised in the US at a time when musical resources were relatively scarce, Sanjeev was nevertheless exposed early to the best of the subcontinent’s various musical genres.

Sanjeev was fortunate to find a guru in eminent vocalist-composer Shri Ram Phatak, who took a keen interest in shaping his unusual musical acumen. While Shri Phatak had his grounding in the Gwalior gharana, he was also profoundly influenced by luminaries of his day, notably the late Ustad Amir Khan. In this spirit, he adopted a broad outlook while grooming Sanjeev, encouraging him to judiciously absorb good influences around him. As a result, Sanjeev acquired uncommon facility with both classical and lighter genres of Indian music.

In addition to numerous solo performances, Sanjeev has accompanied visiting senior artists from India like the late Pt. V.G. Jog, the late Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, and Dr. Alka Deo-Marulkar. Sanjeev is well-known around the world for his highly successful appearances on Zee TV's “TVS Sa Re Ga Ma”, earning accolades from esteemed judges including Pt. Rajan-Sajan Misra, Pt. Jasraj, Begum Parveen Sultana, and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. Sanjeev has also recorded a devotional album with playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and collaborated with noted actor Billy Crudup on a hit melody for Woody Allen's 1996 film "Everyone Says I Love You".

Sanjeev training and experience also include Western classical violin and choral/a cappella singing. His Western music background and deep knowledge of both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions has provided him with the rare ability to interpret Indian music to Western audiences through lecture-demonstrations and radio broadcasts. He currently hosts a widely acclaimed weekly radio show, Swaraanjali, highlighting the treasure of the subcontinent’s classical traditions through the medium of its popular music.

Jayanta Banerjee

Jayanta Banerjee, a successful sitarist and an eminent musician and composer, was born into a musical family. He started his training in sitar under the able guidance of Late Sri Amit Prosonno Mukherjee, later under the guidance of Pandit Debiprashad Chatterjee, Late Pandit Santosh Banerjee and Late Pandit Robi Chakroborty through the Rampur and Maihar gharanas. The melodious streaming of his sitar landed him in achieving and nurturing his talent in a broader spectrum. Among his many achievements, his winning the National Youth Festival in the year 1997 paved way for further creations. In years, Jayanta Banerjee has evolved as an accompanist, soloist and a composer amalgamating classical and world music broadening his scope of involvement in world dance fields by composing for various styles like Jazz and Flamenco. Not only in India, but all over the world Jayanta has spread the magic of his creations, namely in countries like United States of America, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawaii, Fiji, a total of over 13  countries. He has accompanied some of the world's greatest Indian classical dancers and musicians including Pandit Chitresh Das and his institution Chitresh Das Dance Company, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Dr. L. Subhramanium, Pandit Rajan & Sajan Mishra, Pandit Swapan Chawdhuri, Pandit Aninda Chatterjee, Ustad Sabir Khan, Pandit Bhawani Shankar and Pandit Ramesh Mishra. Jayanta Banerjee still continues to charm us with his flamboyant music and his magical strokes of the sitar by his wonderful compositions having varied rhythmical structure and an aura that he delivers as a soloist, a composer, incorporating the love for music and the dedication towards his art that still mesmerizes all his audience worldwide.

Satyaprakash Mishra

Satyaprakash Mishra is the son and disciple of critically acclaimed tabla artist, Pandit Kalinath Mishra of the Benares Gharana. Satyaprakash’s versatility and range makes him a sought-after accompanist amongst India’s most renowned dance and music artists. He has performed nationally and internationally with artists such as Chitresh Das, Sunayana Hazarilal, Suresh Wadekar, Shankar Mahadevan and Anup Jalota. His performances have been seen at some of India's most prestigious festivals including Saptak, Chakradhar, and Harrivallabh and at international venues such as Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, The Broad Stage, and the Green Music Center. An artist and entertainer alike, Satyaprakash’s style is marked by technical prowess and sophisticated layakari on the one hand and accessibility and universal appeal on the other. When he is not performing, Satyaprakash is working as an educator, training a new generation of students in the art of tabla through classes and workshops.

Naren Budhakar

New York City

Naren Budhakar was born and brought up in the Indian classical music tradition. He began performing Tabla at a young age. A disciple of Tabla Maestro Ustad Shabbir Nisar, Naren has played with prominent instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj and Shaed Parvez. He has performed at prestigious venues in the U.S. and Europe, providing Tabla accompaniment for various musical genres. He is also a disciple of Shri Aditya Khandwe, a virtuoso vocalist of the Gwalior style of classical Indian vocal music.
Naren is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram and as a faculty member teaches and performs regularly.

Sandeep Hattangady

Sandeep has pursued Tabla for more than three decades, learning from eminent Tabla Gurus including Shri Prabhakar Betrabet, Ustad Shabbir Nisar and Pandit Mohan Balvalli. He has also received extensive guidance from Pandit Sadanand Naimpalli and Pandit Omkar Gulvady. Sandeep has performed in India, UK and USA, playing both solo and accompanying for vocal, instrumental and dance with artists such as Pandit K Sridhar and Pandit Partha Bose among others. Based in North Carolina (USA), Sandeep balances his musical interest in performing and teaching Tabla alongside his professional pursuit in the semiconductor industry. He has co-authored the book, TIHAAI, with his Guru Shri Prabhakar Betrabet for students of music.

Biplab Mukherjee

Biplab Mukherjee started his vocal training at the age of 10 under the able guidance of Mrs. Shila Chakraborty and Mrs. Jayanti Hazra. He was later fortunate under the tutelage of Pandit Samaresh Chawdhury, a veteran vocalist and renowned exponent of the ''Rampur-Senia Gharana'', now under the guidance of Pandit Anand Gupta, a doyen of compositions in Khayal-Thumri etc.

Having Graduated with Commerce from Calcutta University include the SANGEET VISHARAD in Classical Vocal Music and Nazrul Geeti under PRACHEEN KALA KENDRA, CHANDIGARH. Post-Gaduated from Rabindra Bharati University with an M.A. (1ST CLASS) IN Classical Vocal Music.

Achievement:

He had the honour as a Guest Lecturer, Seminars and External Examiner of RBU. He also has 3 years of teaching experience in CHINMAYA MISSION,Kolkata. Since 2009 to 2012 was attached as a Vocal Guru with SHAKHRI BEGUM MEMORIAL TRUST Kolkata( Music Academy of Ustad Rashid Khan), honored Lec-Dem expert at Yale University ( USA). Special Guest performer in Convocation ceremony of North Bengal University( Siliguri).

He established a Music Academy named 'PARAMPARA' in Kolkata and North Bengal (Coochbehar, Siliguri).

Became ICCR empaneled Artistes in 2017 

Graded Artistes in ALL INDIA RADIO.

RELEASED Album named RAAG-O-VAAB from Bihan Music.He came in 1st in the EASTERN ZONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL and was sent to perform in various National and Regional concerts. He participate in National Integration Camp as his State(WB) representative. He represent his country in SAUFEST (SOUTH ASIAN UNIVERSITY FEST).

Performances:

He has performed at the International Seminar organized by Vocal dept of Rabindra Bharati University, Ramkrishna Mission, Deoghar,SUR SAGAR SOCIETY (BHAWANIPORE), KOLKATA,Annual programme of DAKSHIN KOLKATA SASHTRIYA SANGEET SAMMELAN in memory of Late Pt. MANTU BANERJEE And Late Smt. Dipali Nag.,Chowdhury House Music Conference,Annual Classical Conferenc of State Music Academy (WB),SWAR FESTIVAL,SWAMI VIVEKANANDA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, BELUR MATH,Annual Programme of DHWANI (An Organization of Pt. ABHIJIT BANERJEE), North guwahati mahavidyalaya Silver Jubilee Festival,Balaji Temple at GUWAHATI.,KATTHAK KENDRA (DELHI),BENARAS, KOCHIN, JAMMU and performed many places in India, Bangladesh, Singapore & USA.

He sung under reputable music directors, made appearances on a number of popular Bengali TV serials and Film(Both Bengali and Hindi) and other Media Channels

Shuchita Sakwaya

Shuchita Sakwaya, currently based in NC, is a kathak dancer and educator with over 20 years of experience in the field.

She completed her Masters of Performing Arts from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi with a Gold medal in kathak and holds the UGC NET certification from the government of India for research and teaching in Performing arts. She was trained under the able guidance of Prof. Ranjana Srivastava and Dr. Vidhi Nagar, in India. Later she went on to work and learn under the mentorship of Dr. Pali Chandra. She has performed at prestigious dance festivals internationally such as Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Dhouli Kalinga Mahotsava- India, Navrang Fest by Indian Consulate General-Dubai, Swiss International Kathak Festival and many more. Over the years she has dedicated her life to promote the rich culture and tradition of Kathak and continues to do so.

Asif Khan

Proficient in Indian classical, semi-classical, bhajans, and ghazals, he is a versatile performer. Naturally gifted with a melodious voice, Asif Khan also harmonizes with Kathak luminaries, enriching their performances with depth and richness. After earning his master's in music, Asif taught at the Global International Indian School in Ahmedabad. Currently, he shares his expertise at the Kalavant Center for Music and Dance, NY preserving and promoting Southeast Asian traditional music and dance, with a focus on India's classical traditions.

Karamat Khan Kalavant

A descendant of Ustad Rehman Khan Sahab, Karamat acquired tabla talim from his father, Ustad Firoz Khan Sahab, and grandfather, Ustad Kadar Khan Sahab. Mastering the Purab style of tabla, a fusion of diverse gharanas, he emerges as a young, passionate percussionist. His mastery and extraordinary skill, his layakari and rhythmic expertise captivates audiences, entrancing them with every beat.

Sanchita Dighe

She started her training with Pandita Archana Joglekar and is currently continuing her Visharad under the able guidance of Guru Pallavi Degwekar. She has been learning Kathak for the last 11 years. She is currently in her sophomore year of college at Rutgers University and is majoring in psychology. Alongside learning Kathak, she loves to read in her free time.

Neeharika Tummala

Neeharika Tummala is a vocal and kathak student, currently studying Kathak under Rachna Nivas. Neeharika began her vocal training in Carnatic Music under Smt. Akhila Balaji and Smt. Nandita Srinivas, and Kathak under Joanna D’Souza, in Toronto. She transitioned to Hindustani music under Smt. Swati Phadke in the Kirana Gharana, in Hyderabad, and is currently training from her disciple Pubali Mattoo. She is taking special vocal training from Jayanta Banerjee, bringing together Kathak and Vocal training and the compositions in the lineage of Pandit Chitresh Das.

Shivani Joshi

Shivani Joshi is a distinguished Portland-based performing artist, celebrated for her mastery in both Indian classical dance and music. With a profound dedication to the arts from a young age, Shivani was immersed in Indian classical traditions, training rigorously under local maestros. She earned her bachelor's diploma in Hindustani vocal music under the esteemed guidance of her mother, Dr. Nisha Joshi, a prominent Hindustani vocalist, sitarist, and teacher in Portland.

Her artistic journey began with Bharatanatyam, where she completed her Arangetram, a solo dance debut, under the expert tutelage of Ms. Sivagami Vanka. Shivani's academic pursuits led her to the University of Oregon, where she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. Her passion for dance and music took her to India, where she was awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Government of India (ICCR) to study at the National Institute of Kathak Dance in New Delhi. There, she honed her Kathak skills under the revered Pandit Rajendra Kumar Gangani, an eminent figure of the Jaipur Gharana, earning an Honors Diploma.

Shivani further enriched her artistic repertoire by obtaining master’s degrees in both Kathak dance and Hindustani vocal music from Guru Nanak Dev University in Punjab. Her vocal training was further refined under the guidance of Ms. Kamal Rani and Mr. Sukhdev Sagar in Jalandhar, Punjab.

A versatile artist, Shivani excels in singing khayal, bhajans, ghazals, and folk songs, and she is adept at playing the harmonium. Her performances have graced prestigious platforms such as the Kathak Mahotsav in Delhi, Maharana Kumbh Sangeet Samaroh in Udaipur, Lovely Professional University Kathak Nritta Mahotsav in Punjab, and the Times of India Navratri Utsav in Chennai. Beyond her dance recitals, Shivani has lent her voice to numerous Kathak performances, productions, and recordings, including music programs on Doordarshan national television in India.

Shivani continues to captivate audiences with her solo vocal and dance performances across India and the United States, embodying the rich cultural heritage of Indian classical arts with every performance.