Katthak:
As a former student of Guru Gopikrishna’s, India, Priya’s lessons in traditional Katthak help you implement fluidity and grace through this elegant classical dance of India. Accompanied by nimble footwork and pirouettes, the dance style portrays a story. Facial expressions and eloquent hand movements also comprise an important part of the dancers’ presentation. Original pieces are composed for students on Bollywood beats, as well as traditional pieces from the teachings of Padmashri Award winning Guru Nateshwar Gopikrishna.
Here is a beautiful student who had never done Katthak before – watch how quickly she picked it up and how we combined it into a creative piece!
A Kathhak-Bollywood piece by another of our pupils who had never tried this before:
What Students Say:
Ms.Priya thanks to your training in Indian Classical dance (katthak) we managed to create the ‘wow’ factor in our winning dance presentation at the contest. We would like to express our gratitude and thanks forever for your dedication to us and for the audience responses. We have become the most talked about students at our school! It is with broken hearts that we wish you goodbye on your imminent immigration to the U.S. If ever you do decide to relocate back, please know that you have at least four dedicated students who will welcome you with open arms! We wish you the best in rejoining your family and your further growth in the States. God Bless You”- –Divya Hariharan, Mallika Hariharan, Vrittika Malani, & Shiksha Shridhar , students at Lynfield College, winners of Rockerz Dance Contest, New Zealand 2008
Benefits:
- Speed and dexterity
- Control and technicality
- Refined musicality
- Vivid emotive ability/expression
- Excellent core foundation training for Bollywood performing arts.
- Keeping in touch with / exploring the Indian culture and its ancient heritage
Folk Dance
India is a diverse land with many regions having their own dances. Learn the variances region to region with dances such as Garba, Dandia, Ghoomar, Bhangra, Lavni and much more. From the vigorous Bhangra of Punjab to the grace of Garba or energy of Raas from Gujarat, the carefree Koli dance or the rhythms of Lezim of Maharashtra, we bring you the diversity of India through its inspiring & colorful folk forms!
- Have loads of fun working in a team -make many friends who share your hobby!
- Dancing to rustic, robust, high energy tracks!
- Creativity, costuming and color
- Dexterity – learn how to use various Indian props
- Learn a bit about Indian culture & customs
CLASSES at MORRISVILLE on SUNDAY afternoons. Mixed Levels. Contact us to know more or To register for FOLK or KATHAK classes, go here
See what Clients & Students Say:
Dear Ms. Priya, Thank you for all you have done for our kids over the last few months. Your dedication, hard work & passion for the art has made this possible. We are amazed at your ability to train & choreograph a bunch of 4-5 year olds. You have taught them discipline, self-esteem & most importantly, exposed them to a culture that they are so far removed from. Ashima is a shy girl, she won’t even practise in front of anyone but
me, and today she will perform on stage- we attribute that to you. Thank you so very much. Love, Ashima’s family.
Dear Priya, On behalf of the Trustees of the AI Education & Community Trust, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to you for your academy’s participation in the ‘Vaisakhi on the Square ” held at the Manukau Square. The event was very well received by the local community and with the support received from all entities including gifted performers such as you, we hope to make this a
n Annual feature on the South Auckland calendar. Thank you once again and looking forward to your continued support”. Rajvinder & Hardeep Singh, Trust Committee, Vaisakhi on the Square, 2008 Auckland, New Zealand
Hi Priya, Thanks for coming in today to give the girls a glimpse of your classical dance and session on dance presentation. I will be getting them together again another session, to give them a final touch up
on their moves and item presentation. Thanks again- it was great, we really enjoyed it!” Naseem Ali- Kelston Intermediate School,2008 Auckland,New Zealand
Ms PRIYA, It was a pleasure having you as dance teacher because GIIS students developed good Indian dancing skills under your guidance. THANKS A LOT! Please let me know if you are now available to be in charge of our classical & cultural centre activities on week ends for the general public. With Warm Regards”– Abhay Dhoke, Director, Global Indian International School, Mangere Auckland, NZ
Hi Priya, Thank you for your time. The children thoroughly enjoyed your Indian dance sessions”.-Renee Purcell, Co-ordinator, YMCA Children’s Summer Camp 2008, Mt Albert, Auckland, NZ
Ms. Priya, we are very grateful for the amount of persistence and patience you extended our children during the classes for the Indian Independence show at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Center. We thoroughly enjoyed the show, some of us born in India had tears in our eyes as the songs and scenes brought back our childhood memories on the traditions. Please do find a note attached from all our children who took part…..
Dear Teacher Priya, first of all a BIIIG Thank you thank you thank you for all your hard work, we all soooo enjoyed your show! We had soo much fun putting on the costumes from India, learning a little about the Indian states, a little bit about Indian history & how to drape those folk clothes, and of course dancing! We are throwing a small party to celebrate and this is in your favor, so please do join us !”- Class of 2003, Mahatma Gandhi Center of Cultural Arts, Auckland, New Zealand