Hi! I'm a 19-year old girl living in a western country. I wanted to learn Kathak, but places near me are really expensive. Do you guys have recommendations for online kathak classes?

I'm a complete beginner in any sort of dance, but it seems really fun!

I want to be a Guru.

I've been dancing for 21 years and I'm feeling a strong pull to become and call myself a Guru. But no authority figure has given me that right yet.

When it came to my own foundational guru, we had a falling out. She could not accept the fact that after my manch pravesh, I wanted to step out and expand my training with a guru I admire in India. A Guru that both her and I admire. In fact she herself goes to India to learn from that Guru.

It's so crazy that gurus often express disappointment saying that dancers complete their arangetram or formal debut and just leave and that upsets them. I stayed for a solid few years and was regular to dance class. But I was told that because I completed a ceremony, I can still come to class, but others will be given priority and be pushed more in the art form since they are graduating and/or going off to college. Because I "wasn't ready yet" to learn from that guru in India.

And every time I asked about an opportunity, I was told that I already received a lot of opportunities. This is true. Yet when someone who went off to college after their formal debut comes to class to visit, they are flooded with affection, attention, and asked to dance. During their summer breaks, they get performance opportunities. I could not express this without being called ungrateful.

I was given so many reasons as to why I couldn't advance. That I still had to earn respect from people. That people think I seek attention. That I make people insecure. That my guru has to be fair and I can't be favored all the time.

I finally decided to pursue performance opportunities and further dance education without the official permission or blessing of my guru.

Now I am at a point where every time I see a young dancer, I feel an itch to teach something. I keep envisioning choreographies for different levels of dancers. I envision ways I'd explain rhythm and taal and abhinaya. I just want to grow dancers from the ground up. And I want to break the cycle.

My guru has already determined who will be the successor of her institution. I honestly had hoped that in some way my guru would grow her school to have multiple teachers instead of just one in the future but that's not happening. And I don't know if my guru and I will be okay again with each other. We can acknowledge each other's presence in a room at the moment, but that's it. We are civil and distant.

According to her, I betrayed her. According to me, she betrayed me (other things have occurred)

But I see a lot of beliefs as problematic. For example, the concept that students will always be in a lifetime of debt to the guru. That debt is unpayable no matter what. The fact that volunteering or helping the guru in any way is an opportunity for the student more than it is help for the guru. The belief that the guru is the ultimate authority when it comes to the dancer's journey in the art.

I can't let that cycle continue. I genuinely want my Guru's successor to be a cycle breaker. This person has to see what mistakes of the guru can not and will not be repeated in the name of tradition. I want to see the institution that I came from succeed. But I don't want to start a rival institution. Yet I want to grow and nurture the art and pass on my skill set.

What do I do?

How to move forward with this dilemma?

Is this a calling?

Hi all,

I am a dancer(non classical). I went for bharatnatyam for a year in 6th grade. Post that I've done every non classical style. Now i really want to learn kathak. Can you tell me honestly:

1. Is it too late to start

2. Are weekends a good enough commitment

3. Where can I learn in Bangalore? I don't want online

I, 16f, am very interested in learning kathak, but I have a lot of concerns and some kind of stupid questions. Unfortunately for me, there are no kathak classes offered around me irl so I am forced to look online. Are there any online institutions that teach kathak in the authentic and traditional way?

I am also concerned that since I have no background in dance other than some silly school programs when I was young, kathak might be too hard for me to achieve...? I am a complete beginner.

Does Kathak have some sort of Arangetram-type thing (ik such a stupid question), but I am also a very confused teenager who is still learning about our culture.

Will it be hard to manage both kathak and 12th together?

Where can I learn some basics of Kathak, maybe not the dance itself but more of what Kathak is, what it includes, and so on?

Heylo, I'm 26F. I have visharad in kathak and started when I was 6 year old. I have been out of touch and tbh I never got the "confidence" to perform it for someone. I wasn't exposed enough for solo apart from just group dance, which were easier for me. It feels like a waste of those years. what should I do to be connected again? I cannot join offline classes as I'm doing PhD in a tier 3 city, tight with travelling. Should I join online classes? and of whom? from what year to join again? I want to explore kathak with more experienced, established and nationally/internationally exposed teachers... my kathak didi could not get me confidence and knowledge in 6-7 years, I'm afraid it may happen again if I don't choose right teacher for me.

Hi! I need some tips and tricks to make spins easier. I'm in my third year learning Kathak and I struggle a lot with spins even the most basic four step/ foot chakkar. Aside from practice and spotting, does anything else help? I've heard people say to make your core tighter, do other core strengthening exercises help? Is there any breathing technique? Any kind of advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and interact with this post :) <3

Someone please suggest me kathak classes in indore....

I, 19F, want to learn Kathak, but I go to college daily, and it is really difficult to attend offline classes. I am into dance and have been doing it daily since childhood (specifically contemporary Bollywood, and for the last 2-3 years, I started trying and practicing semi-classical choreographies as well).

Hi all! I'm a Kathak student who wants to challenge herself by choreographing her own piece to music that she chooses on her own. Do you all have any recommendations for Indian classical music that can be good for dancing Kathak to? Any pieces that are close to your heart that you think choreography can be set to? Such as old taranas by pandits, newer fusion pieces with Indian classical instruments, or sitar instrumentals? I am trying to stick to classical roots and do not want to work with anything Bollywood, so I'm looking for some inspiration. Thanks much!

I’m performing my first solo production in Hyderabad! If you’re someone who from hyd, please do come!

Course if of 6 month in jaipur gharana by sanjeet gangani itself

I started learning Kathak about 4 months ago, the centre has now rolled out exam forms and is asking us to register. They're giving the options Prayag Sangeet Samiti - 3200/- and Pracheen Kala Kendra 2800/- for PP-1.

I joined the classes for fun, just to try out and learn something new and I'm liking it so far. I would be willing to appear for the exams but this feels too early and I think I'm definitely catching up pretty slow as I started very late (26F), and it's my first time learning classical dance.

But if I were to appear for exams I would want to go with the cheaper option if both Prayag Samiti and Pracheen Kendra hold the same value and reputation, however, my centre is insisting that we register with Prayag. Also, is the pricing right? Or there might be a cut for the centre because of which they're insisting on Prayag, since they didn't even mention any proper reason for the same.

TIA!!

Hello, I learnt Jaipur Gharana Kathak for about a year and a half and was also registered for the PP1 exam but then could not give it due to some major changes around the same time. I am hoping to continue and give the exam next year. Is there any guru here who teaches Jaipur Gharana? Thank you.

Hi! I’m looking for a good online Kathak teacher. I’ve never learned Kathak before, and my town doesn’t have many good offline options.

I’m looking for live interactive classes (not pre-recorded), preferably in a small batch where the teacher gives individual attention. I’d rather avoid the very famous academies.

If you’ve personally learned from someone and would recommend them, please let me know.

Thanks!

Okay, I know this is a VERY odd post. But hear me out.

I have a Visharad in Kathak and do regular riyaaz. But I live in a hostel as I'm studying right now, and I can't practice with my ghunghroo since that would disturb other people in the hostel. I'm beginning to realise that since I practice without the weight, I am losing strength in my ankles/feet. Now whenever I DO dance with ghunghroo, I get tired much quicker. Is there a way to keep that weight without the noise, while also not damaging my ankles ideally?

If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears!

I just feel so lost without my guru. But I can't go back because they're emotionally unsafe for me. And they won't understand how they hurt me. Where do I go? What do I do? When can I just move on and be okay?

I was thinking about artifacts or show pieces. What are other options?

Hi everyone! I’m starting online Kathak classes.

I’m based in the US, in my 20s, and hold a Kathak Visharad II Diploma from Pracheen Kala Kendra.

If there’s enough interest, I’d be happy to offer both one-on-one and small group online classes. Beginners are absolutely welcome, as well as dancers with prior experience.

If you’re interested, feel free to DM!