At Antara Asthaayi Dance, we train kathakas in a contemporary adaptation of the guru-shishya parampara (guru-disciple tradition). Our philosophy is to emphasize the arts as a way of life, and we pride ourselves in offering our students a strong sense of community where they may grow as young artists. Our program is composed of five-year courses in Fundamentals and Performance training. All classes are taught by Antara Bhardwaj, an acclaimed kathak artist with over a decade of teaching experience.
Fundamentals Training (Years 1-5)
Classes focus on the fundamental techniques of kathak, rhythmic language (taal), story-telling, and vocal Hindustani classical music. Students are required to take two, 60min classes/week in Year 1, followed by two 75min classes/week in Years 2-5.
Performance Training (Years 6-10)
Students will develop their performance training and learn group and solo repertoire. Class and rehearsal attendance is expected 3 times/week and may change based on upcoming performances. Students will also have the opportunity to perform in professional productions alongside our dance ensemble.
Individual students who display exceptional aptitude and dedication towards their kathak studies may be invited to develop and present a traditional kathak solo. In this milestone, the dancer performs 1.5 hours of repertoire including dance, singing, poetry, and story-telling with accompaniment from live musicians. This achievement marks the beginning of their career as a solo artist, and a commitment towards the life-long learning of kathak.
Uniforms & Dress Code
Students are required to purchase a custom-made uniform kurta . Kurtas are to be worn with white leggings/churidaar provided by the student, and hair must be neatly tied back in a bun or braid(s).
Ghungroo
In an art form that takes decades to master, we aim to set small goals to keep our students motivated. The first milestone in the student's journey is to receive their ghungroo. This is commemorated with a special ceremony that is prefaced by the dancer learning how to string together their very own set of bells. Students receive their ghungroo upon completing Year 1.
Guru-sisters Program
The term guru-sisters refers to women who are studying under the same guru or teacher. Our guru-sisters program fosters leadership, mentorship, camaraderie and community building by cultivating big sister/little sister relationships beyond the classroom.
Intensives
Students are invited to attend yearly workshops to deepen their study of kathak and Hindustani classical music. These intensives offer an excellent opportunity for students to advance their studies, strengthen their technique, and learn new curriculum. Our intensives are based on festivals and cultural themes to further expose students to the heritage of India.
Performances
We believe that performances are a crucial part of learning, as kathak is a performing art-form. Student performances are community driven - giving our kathakas a sense of pride and confidence, as they share their art and knowledge amongst their peers and networks. Past performances have included Multicultural Festivals, Mountain View library showcase and community Diwali and Durga puja celebrations. Advanced students have the opportunity to join the Antara Asthaayi Youth Company, where they perform in professional productions. Students may further be invited to join the Antara Asthaayi Dance Ensemble as they become young adults.
Enrollment
Students are accepted from ages 6 years and above. We follow the Mountain View Whisman School District calendar, and there are no classes on holidays/breaks as per that schedule. Specialized intensives and workshops are offered during the summer months.
Beginner class sizes are limited to 6-7 students, ensuring personalized teaching for each student. In the spirit of fostering strong guru-disciple relationships, we do not offer rolling admissions in our program. Please contact us for enrollment inquiries.
