ABOUT US
What is Aakriti Kathak Foundation?
Aakriti Kathak Foundation (Aakriti) is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charitable organization whose mission it is to promote and preserve the North Indian classical dance form of Kathak by providing well known and well regarded performance platforms. The primary channel through which Aakriti will do so is an annual Kathak dance festival that will provide a platform for professional as well as promising Kathak performers, from both within the US as well as abroad. Further, Aakriti will deploy its resources to facilitate workshops and provide networking opportunities within the Kathak sorority, thereby providing ways for practitioners of the art to collaborate by sharing ideas, knowledge, and stages; to mingle; and to grow as performers and connoisseurs of the dance form.
What is Kathak?
Kathak is a classical dance form that originated in the northern regions of India. With its rich history dating back several centuries, Kathak embodies a harmonious blend of storytelling, rhythm, and graceful movements. This art form, characterized by its intricate footwork and expressive gestures, captivates audiences with its sheer elegance and cultural significance. Kathak is not limited to its traditional roots but has also embraced modern interpretations, incorporating contemporary themes. It serves as a means of cultural preservation, keeping alive India's rich heritage and serving as a bridge between the past and the present.
Why Aakriti Kathak Foundation?
Every year, numerous dancers complete years of rigorous training in Kathak and receive their diplomas in the US. But then, what? At present, there is a scarcity of prominent platforms in North America that offer opportunities for these graduates to continue to pursue and further develop their experience, comfort, and skill as Kathak performers. Unfortunately, for most of the myriad of Kathak graduates in the US, at a time when they could be spreading their wings and soaring to new heights, they instead find themselves facing a stark scarcity of opportunities for artistic expression. The sad reality is that we end up losing many of these highly trained and skilled Kathak dancers to other dance forms due to a dearth of avenues within Kathak.
Vision
We at Aakriti are striving to create the conditions, over time, in which the quality and caliber of top Kathak performers produced in the US begins to rival those who train and gain prominence in India, where the art form originated and thrives today.
The Inception of Aakriti Kathak Foundation
Aakriti Kathak Foundation is the brainchild of Guru Dr. Kriti Rakesh. Kriti is the founder, owner, and lead instructor of Aakriti Kathak Academy, which she started in 2011. After about a decade spent personally mastering the dance form and helping hundreds of students gain proficiency in Kathak, Kriti began to feel there was something missing, both personally as a Kathak performer, and professionally too, as a Kathak instructor. After this, what? From the evolution of this discontent arose an awareness of the need for, and finally the inception of, Aakriti Kathak Foundation. The execution of the vision, however, could not have happened without the help of countless current and former students, as well as a network of local art enthusiasts and connoisseurs.