Best Kathak dance school

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Pune’s rich cultural heritage- Spotlight on Kathak

Celebrated as Maharashtra’s cultural capital, Pune has long maintained its reputation as a city where tradition and modernity come together in the most graceful way. Thriving educational institutes, booming IT sector, flourishing real estate and beloved gastronomy culture, Pune’s soul actually resides in it’s established art and culture landscape.

Be it an art enthusiast, practicing artists, educational artist, artist continuing their education, working professionals or young learners, Pune is thronged by people from different backgrounds and all walks of life contributing to it’s rich cultural heritage. Among many forms of creative expressions supported and followed here are the Indian classical dance forms, Kathak being one of the prominent ones. Kathak dance recitals and Kathak dance classes in Pune are some of the most sought after ones.

Dating back since the Peshwa era, artistic and cultural scene in 

Pune has been continuously nurtured, creating an unmatched legacy. Kathak, loved for its graceful and rhythmic story telling, and limitless possibilities for experimentation, has long been favourite of courts and common people. Over the centuries, the city has developed itself into a nucleus for musicians, poets and dancers who have nourished the art and vice versa. The same vibrant spirit has been carried forward to today’s time through a plethora of festivals, events, private batihaks, and recitals creating generations of new enthusiasts who look forward to kathak dance classes in Pune, and eventually becoming established artists.

Despite being acprominently north Indian dance form, in Pune Kathak has found its niche and taken deep roots that continue to flourish through the service of many educational artists offering dance classes in Pune for children and adults alike. These institutions have opened their doors to every Kathak enthusiast from varied professional backgrounds, from a range of ages, and from people with different cultural and artistic backgrounds. Anyone searching Kathak dance classes near me in Pune is met with a multitude of such institutions and teachers, whose contributions in form of new artists have reached local, national and international stages.

This has attracted more and more parents to enrol their children in Kathak dance classes nearby to promote overall well-being, emotional and physical development of their children. Benefits of Kathak are manifold, yet the best one being artistic self-expression.  Kathak creates a space for a child to share their stories and emotions in a creative way which fosters self-confidence, courage and leadership. Highly focused on intricate footwork and graceful movements, Kathak is a journey to improved physical strength, stamina, body alignment and flexibility. It enhances child’s spatial awareness and body posture. Through essential Abhinaya training children explore emotional awareness, empathy and imagination in a safe, controlled space, which has known to catapult their emotional intelligence to a heightened level. Kathak leads children through an essential training of Tala and Laya which actually is the mathematics of dance and music. Practicing these boosts mathematical problem solving, coordination and memory.

Kathak dance classes infuse a very authentic understanding of culture through its texts and legacy scriptures. It entails thorough knowledge of Indian music, poetry, literature, mythology, and works of celebrated performers and artists. This deepens a child’s connection to their roots and develops cultural awareness. Facilitating children’s interest in practicing this ancient art form entails creating modules that suit their modern sensibilities and the modern world around them.

This is applicable to modules taught to adults as well. Since many adults including IT professionals, homemakers, retired seniors are turning to Kathak dance classes in Pune for supporting their physical, emotional and mental well-being, Kathak teachers are introducing creative ideas and curriculum to suit their needs while preserving the rich legacy and traditional nature of the dance form. For some people looking for Kathak dance classes near me, these classes are a creative way to de-stress and for some these are a way to finally discover or rediscover themselves. And Kathak offers them exactly that kind of opportunity. The inherent rhythmic practice of Kathak is essentially meditative and at times transcendental, offering a calmly-focused mental space. Kathak has not only proven as a creative outlet but also a space where their imagination and empathy can thrive in a non-judgemental environment.

While it is sought after by adults for its inherent grace, Kathak can benefit the overall body. It is a full-body controlled movement which strengthens your core and enhances posture-a much needed thing for desk-job professionals. Many people have reported not just better mental clarity and cognition, or improved physical strength, but also a journey to a completely new personality that they never knew existed in them. A simple search of Kathak classes near me has led these learners to becoming life-long committed artists and spiritually aware beings.

Kathak dance classes in Pune suited to your or your child’s needs is sought after by more an more people. In this fast-paced world Kathak can provide one with centred approach to movement and assist them in making sense of the chaos all around. If you are someone who is searching for Kathak dance classes near me and you live in or close to Hinjewadi, The Artlinks Institute, is one of such institutes that provide authentic knowledge of skills and theory of Kathak dance. We believe in innovation while keeping the age old spirit of Kathak alive- an approach loved by all our students ranging from 7 to 70 years old. We are one of the few institutes proudly working with the senior citizens of our community to bring out their creative side while equally creating young artists who are contributing to the legacy of Kathak by performing on many stages throughout Pune.

If you are ready to being your Kathak Journey, contact us and talk to our teachers and gurus to find a program specially for you.

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Creativity meets health: Kathak Dance Classes for Children and Adults

In today’s world, that is designed for a productive flow, a deliberately executed movement can mean restoration of balance between physical, mental and emotional realms of life. In this way learning and practicing classical dance art form, like Kathak, isn’t just following a set of traditional instructions to create beauty but to explore and express oneself while adding time-tested knowledge and skill to one’s sentience.

One of India’s most iconic and revered classical dance forms, Kathak, is currently being practiced by professionals, children and artists alike. So whether you want to start your journey into this art form or looking for an institute for your continuing education of Kathak, at Artlinks Kathak dance classes we offer specialised classes for children and adults and advanced level professionals.

Kathak for all walks and rhythms of life

Kathak is a continuing practice and a journey into self-exploration and expression, as a learner develops their storytelling and rhythm skills. Hence, it is an age-inclusive classical art form, which provides nurturing foundation to children and adults alike. Artlinks kathak dance classes for beginners are specially designed for different age groups.

In children, these Kathak dance classes, inculcate discipline, motor skills, musicality, story telling and confidence and assist in all-round development of the student. For adults Kathak dance classes for beginners initiate a connection to the roots of Indian art and culture while inspiring mental clarity, physical fitness, creative outlet and self-exploration. At Artlinks our highly skilled and renowned mentors have designed all the courses with a belief that anyone, at any age or from any walk of life, and professional background, can benefit from practicing focus and grace developed and advocated for by the very great masters of Kathak.

A marriage of traditionally and innovation

A storytelling dance form, developed over centuries by multiple masters, Kathak embodies knowledge, wisdom and techniques handed-down multiple lifetimes. However, the traditional framework isn’t an orthodox one, and doesn’t just give an ample space for personal interpretation and execution but rather encourages it. While the anchor of the stereotype provides the basic anchor, the practitioner is encouraged to explore and find their own style and expression of the classical dance form. Our chief mentor has created a curriculum that includes innovation and personal artistic deciphering of the shastra and technicalities.

Artlinks kathak classes for beginners 

At Artlinks, we don’t just teach a dance form, we build art-conscious and skilled dancers. Our Kathak dance classes are structured with precision and care to assist all students adapt and lean into the framework from the very first class. Our mentors break down the complex techniques and language into easily comprehensible, consumable and engaging classroom sessions that are ideal for Kathak dance classes for beginners. We ensure that you start learning from the very first class. We believe in two-way communication in every class, where students are encouraged to ask questions and express interpretations and their understanding of teachings. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition of all students, children and adults, to the next consecutive levels.

Creativity, Confidence, Culture 

Artlinks Kathak Dance classes is known by its students and peers for specialisation in creating learning fun and relaxing learning experiences and creating strong foundation in:

Developing discipline, commitment and focus

Strong body-mind coordination

Indian Classical music and rhythm 

Classical Kathak techniques

Exposure to classical texts and shastra

Familiarity of famous works of great masters

Rigorous training for certifications

Stage exposure and performance opportunities

Our students go through test preparation for formal foundation level, intermediate level and advanced level examination and certification. All our students go through these tests and get certified before moving on to the next level. Our annual presentation event ‘Pratibimb’ features all our students performing for a live audience. There are many workshop and stage performance opportunities. Artlinks Kathak dance classes specialises in working with an amalgamation of different art forms, including other Indian classical dance forms, poetry and visual arts, to create comprehensive learning curriculum for students’ all-round development and knowledge.

Batches for professionals 

In our experience and understanding, a Kathak enthusiast can come from any professional background managing chaotic schedules while trying to achieve work-life balance. So whether you are a corporate employee, a homemaker, a student, a senior citizen, or a performing artist, we have a number of batches and a welcoming community that you can join and learn with.

Start your journey with Artlinks Kathak dance classes Whether you are looking forward to introduce your child to the classical Indian dance form, or considering stepping on to a dance floor for the first time, or creatively enhancing your physical fitness, or looking for a community of like-minded learners, a safe space without judgement, or simply a place to be inspired, or continuing your kathak education, call us for a meeting with our mentors and an intro session. We assure you that you will leave us with a feeling of artistic joy. Our Kathak dance classes for beginners await you. Contact us today!

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Kathak through centuries: Historical and cultural roots of Kathak

Learning Indian classical dances isn’t just perfecting the skill but going through an ages old tradition of disciplined spiritual journey. Preserved, handed-down and promoted by generations of artists and researchers through texts and forms, Indian classical dances have stood the test of time in terms of popularity and relevance. Despite the rising popularity of modern dance forms and performance arts, Indian classical dance forms are still considered the most solid non-negotiable stepping stone for movement arts. Kathak is one such form which is revered for its beauty, innate storytelling and possibilities of innovation. Before committing oneself to rigorous training it is important to find the kathak dance classes that not only trains you in the skill of performance but also enriches your knowledge of its history and cultural significance through the centuries since its inception.

One of the India’s eight classical dance art-forms, Kathak finds it’s roots in imbibing diverse influences through several centuries and changing of empires. The common question regarding this artform is whether its roots are supported by the Hindu mythology and tradition or is it a product of Mughal court’s artistic ensemble. While continuing research on Kathak keeps adding more and more information about its history, experts have established that its older than what it has been anticipated to be. Based on literary and sculptural evidence, prior to tenth and eleventh century, dance in north India, just like all south Indian classical dance forms, was conserved and flourished in temples. The earlier form of Kathak show resemblance to Bharatnatyam and Odissi, whose collective mentorship by Natyashastra is long established. 

With spreading of the Moghul empire and establishment of a state supported religion, dance as form of worship experienced a decline, leading to disappearance of dancing sculptures in temples. Examination of the compositions of Mirabai, Surdas and the likes reveal that dance continued to be the motif or an image of worship in devotional poetry. This was the wave of Bhakti movement, which in north India as much as in south India, captured mainstream spirituality, art and dance across geographies. The noted feature of this movement is using music and dance to connect with god.

While its tough to examine chronology of Kathak’s development through sculptural evidence post fifteenth century, murals and miniature paintings across India give ample material to construct the roots of Kathak. These artworks have figurines that have affinities to Odissi and to initial form of Kathak. These artworks include Jaina paintings and manuscripts from Rajasthan-Gujarat area. These manuscript are illustrated through paintings showcasing court and courtyard scenes, which marks the shift of the dance form from temples to court. The second set evaluated by Kathak scholars are paintings commissioned by Mughal courts including Akbarnama, Tarikh-eKhandan-e-Timuria and more. These paintings showcase celebrations of births and weddings where dance and instruments like Nakara were a primary feature. The third set of miniature artworks that demonstrate roots of kathak and are crucial to study its roots are paints by Vaishnavites or Bhaktas who put together Jhankis or dance-dram tableaux depicting lives of Ram and Krishna. Hindu kings and nobles from Deccan, Rajasthan and Himachal commissioned many miniature artworks in temples and holy places which were inspired by Ramlilas and Krishnalilas. The artworks commonly knows as Rajasthani or Pahadi paintings, rich with earlier form and aesthetics of Kathak including Nayikas, Ragamalas and more, are considered to constitute the richest evidence of Kathak’s development and popularity.

The interaction between Mughal, Rajasthani courts and other kingdoms, and Bhakta’s a new dance form merged which ranged from courts, to palaces to courtyards and to temples. Every practitioner brought in upgrades to forms, styles, postures, poetry and music leading to the dance form we know as Kathak today. Practiced, enjoyed and revered by many throughout the globe, Kathak has become representation of Indian culture, art and society.

Kathak’s adoption by popular art forms like theatre and cinema has constantly attracted young and adult learners to Gurus and teachers who continue to support it’s nurturing and propagation through their works as educational artists. Kathak dance classes don’t just mean learning techniques and form but also it’s rich history and its prominent position in the Indian society and artistic conscience.  You may be a budding artist with an ambition to work in the performance industry or a student who wants to begin their learning journey, or you could be a working professional. You may be from big metro city or a small town searching for Kathak classes near me to find out the class and teacher which suits your expectations and/or prior training. Please keep in mind that every Kathak student needs a teacher who opens up the doors to the legacy and history of this beloved dance form along with the techniques to create a seamless expression of beauty and wisdom.

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Creativity meets health: Kathak Dance Classes for Children and Adults

In today’s world, that is designed for a productive flow, a deliberately executed movement can mean restoration of balance between physical, mental and emotional realms of life. In this way learning and practicing classical dance art form, like Kathak, isn’t just following a set of traditional instructions to create beauty but to explore and express oneself while adding time-tested knowledge and skill to one’s sentience.

One of India’s most iconic and revered classical dance forms, Kathak, is currently being practiced by professionals, children and artists alike. So whether you want to start your journey into this art form or looking for an institute for your continuing education of Kathak, at Artlinks Kathak dance classes we offer specialised classes for children and adults and advanced level professionals.

Kathak for all walks and rhythms of life

Kathak is a continuing practice and a journey into self-exploration and expression, as a learner develops their storytelling and rhythm skills. Hence, it is an age-inclusive classical art form, which provides nurturing foundation to children and adults alike. Artlinks kathak dance classes for beginners are specially designed for different age groups.

In children, these Kathak dance classes, inculcate discipline, motor skills, musicality, story telling and confidence and assist in all-round development of the student. For adults Kathak dance classes for beginners initiate a connection to the roots of Indian art and culture while inspiring mental clarity, physical fitness, creative outlet and self-exploration. At Artlinks our highly skilled and renowned mentors have designed all the courses with a belief that anyone, at any age or from any walk of life, and professional background, can benefit from practicing focus and grace developed and advocated for by the very great masters of Kathak.

A marriage of traditionally and innovation

A storytelling dance form, developed over centuries by multiple masters, Kathak embodies knowledge, wisdom and techniques handed-down multiple lifetimes. However, the traditional framework isn’t an orthodox one, and doesn’t just give an ample space for personal interpretation and execution but rather encourages it. While the anchor of the stereotype provides the basic anchor, the practitioner is encouraged to explore and find their own style and expression of the classical dance form. Our chief mentor has created a curriculum that includes innovation and personal artistic deciphering of the shastra and technicalities.

Artlinks kathak classes for beginners

At Artlinks, we don’t just teach a dance form, we build art-conscious and skilled dancers. Our Kathak dance classes are structured with precision and care to assist all students adapt and lean into the framework from the very first class. Our mentors break down the complex techniques and language into easily comprehensible, consumable and engaging classroom sessions that are ideal for Kathak dance classes for beginners. We ensure that you start learning from the very first class. We believe in two-way communication in every class, where students are encouraged to ask questions and express interpretations and their understanding of teachings. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition of all students, children and adults, to the next consecutive levels.

Creativity, Confidence, Culture

Artlinks Kathak Dance classes is known by its students and peers for specialisation in creating learning fun and relaxing learning experiences and creating strong foundation in:

Developing discipline, commitment and focus

Strong body-mind coordination

Indian Classical music and rhythm

Classical Kathak techniques

Exposure to classical texts and shastra

Familiarity of famous works of great masters

Rigorous training for certifications

Stage exposure and performance opportunities

Our students go through test preparation for formal foundation level, intermediate level and advanced level examination and certification. All our students go through these tests and get certified before moving on to the next level. Our annual presentation event ‘Pratibimb’ features all our students performing for a live audience. There are many workshop and stage performance opportunities. Artlinks Kathak dance classes specialises in working with an amalgamation of different art forms, including other Indian classical dance forms, poetry and visual arts, to create comprehensive learning curriculum for students’ all-round development and knowledge.

Batches for professionals

In our experience and understanding, a Kathak enthusiast can come from any professional background managing chaotic schedules while trying to achieve work-life balance. So whether you are a corporate employee, a homemaker, a student, a senior citizen, or a performing artist, we have a number of batches and a welcoming community that you can join and learn with.

Start your journey with Artlinks Kathak dance classes

Whether you are looking forward to introduce your child to the classical Indian dance form, or considering steping on to a dance floor for the first time, or creatively enhancing your physical fitness, or looking for a community of like-minded learners, a safe space without judgement, or simply a place to be inspired, or continuing your kathak education, call us for a meeting with our mentors and an intro session. We assure you that you will leave us with a feeling of artistic joy. Our Kathak dance classes for beginners await you. Call us today!