Tradition: What Stays and What Changes - Prajakta Raj

Kathak Dance : Prajakta Raj (Atre) - YouTube

Prajakta Atre (@prajakta_atre_3) • Instagram photos and videos

Groomed by stalwarts like the late Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate and Guru Roshan Datye, Prajakta Raj is an accomplished Kathak danseuse and a well-known name in this field today. Prajakta, who was trained for 14 years by Guru Roshan Datye, received advanced training from late Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate from 1996 to 2008 at the renowned Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy in Pune. Besides completing the Senior Diploma course at Nrityabharati, she has also obtained a Master's Degree in Kathak from the Centre for Performing Arts (Lalit Kala Kendra), Pune University. Prajakta has also successfully proved her mettle as an able dance teacher since 1992. Presently she is working as a Guru and Examiner at the Lalit Kala Kendra of Pune University. As a small contribution to the institution that made her a dancer, she has been working as an Honorary Teacher and Secretary at Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy since 2006. She is also the Founder-Director of Aarohini Kathak Dance Academy and the Director of Aarohini Art Welfare Organisation, a non-profit organisation, dedicated to the promotion of Kathak and other art forms. Aarohini celebrated its Silver Jubilee Year from June 2016 to June 2017 by successfully organizing 7 grand stage performances and 1 O Enrichment Sessions throughout the year. A multi-faceted personality, Prajakta also has a Master's Degree in French from Pune University and is a lecturer of French

Show Highlights

(0:04:09) Non negotiables for your own dance space

(0:10:55) Connection with Guru Rohini Bhate ji

(0:13:52) Doing Riyaz with a sense of responsibility

(0:16:02) Learning values and life skills from her gurus and passing it on

(0:20:46) What tradition means to Prajakta Tai

(0:23:09) Why it's important to preserve the compositions passed down by her guru

(0:23:56) How tradition is like a river

(0:27:49) How do you teach differently than how you were taught

(0:29:50) implementing new techniques on

(0:30:47) How to make your wrists more fluid

(0:33:59) How teaching makes you a better dancer

(0:49:36) Developing patience vs having it inherently

(0:54:38) Bonding with your students outside of class

(0:56:03) The logistics of touring abroad for performances

(1:03:08) Making friends and well wishers through travel

(1:04:18) memorable performances and anecdotes

(1:06:53) The importance of being ready with what you've been taught

(1:11:41) The feeling of being recognized by people you've never met before