Best Indian Dance Classes & Studios in Guatay, CA

From the Business:The Nrityodaya Kathak Academy, of Los Angeles, United States of America, established in 1989, is a sanctuary of the arts devoted to preserving the culture of Kathak dance and classical Indian art. The founder and director of the academy, Smt. Bhairavi Kumar, began her formal training in the Institution of Pt Nikhil Gosh under the guidance of Smt. Shivani Pandya, a Ghanda Bhandan shagrid of Pt. Lacchu Maharaji of the Lucknow gharana. Bhairavi Kumar’s training continued under Smt. Uma Dogra, disciple of Pt. Durgalalji of the Jaipur gharana. She has performed in numerous countries including India, Africa, Canada, and throughout the US. Smt. Bhairavi Kumar has been teaching Kathak in and around Los Angeles for over twenty five years and has earned a distinguished reputation as a traditional and dedicated teacher-performer of Kathak amongst her colleagues and pupils. The academy is dedicated to educate, research, and bring diversity to the community through innovating dance and performance. In addition to performances at numerous events and festivals, the Nrityodaya Kathak Academy organizes and produces a bi-annual dance production. The Nrityodaya Kathak Academy has had the honor to host the Legendary Pt Birju Maharji for his 75th anniversary tour, Concert of the Legend, as well as multiple workshops with the legend himself and his prestigious shagirds. The academy has recently had the privilege of a workshop with the Smt. Jayanti Malaji, shagird of the legendary Queen of Kathak Smt. Sitara Devi. Recent highlights of her incredible journey include performing at the Ganesh Festival in Los Angeles, The Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure, Anantha: Infinite Possibilities performed at Mt. San Antonio College, and “India’s Fabled City: the Art of Courtly Lucknow” performed at LACMA. Smt. Bhairavi Kumar and her 5 most senior disciples toured throughout various cities in India and won first place at Bharat Sanskriti UTSAV 2014, a five day international competition in Burdwan, India.Read more

From the Business:Guru Gayatri Joshi is a highly accomplished Odissi exponent who has been dancing for more than 30 years. She has performed internationally in prestigious festivals like Konark, International Odissi, San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Global Natya Festival, Angkor Wat, and many more. She touches everyone’s hearts and souls everywhere she goes with her sharp expressions and grace. Witnessing her dance is like seeing the ancient temple sculptures come to life. When she performs, she takes you on a journey through the story she is portraying. Aside from being a gifted dancer, she has brought tears and smiles to people’s faces through her brilliant choreography. She is also an exceptional and nurturing teacher who has been teaching for the past 15 years. She teaches her students how to mature not only as dancers but also as confident and passionate leaders ready to take on the world. She influences her students to strive for greatness in the field of dance and in life. Her dream is to influence the next generation to promote Indian culture and this beautiful Indian classical dance that we call Odissi.Read more

From the Business:Bharatanatyam Dance class with full training in Naatyashastra classes with karnas, chaaris, angahaaraas. Bharatanatyam is been Aparna's first love since the age of 5. She has specialized Abhinaya under Smt Dr. Vasundhara Doraiswamy and Smt Indumati Ganesh. She accomplished her Rangapravesha(Arrangetram) under the guidence of Smt Indumati Ganesh. Aparna is the only Bharatanatyam Guru in San Diego who traditionally trains the students in Naatyashastra with the theory of Rasa, Body language and its sub-tenchniques, chaaris , bhava, angahaara, Karnas, nritta hastas... She is bestowed with the title "Natya Tilakam" for her flawless rhythm, and flowing grace and powerful projections of the Abhinaya. Aparna Has earned the recognition and respect for her exquisite execution of Bharatanatyam.Read more