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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