Afsar Mulla

🪔 About

Guru Mulla Afsar Khan is a highly respected Kathak dancer, choreographer, and teacher, born in Pune, India. His journey in Kathak began at an early age, initiated by his father, Guru Mulla Jafar Khan of the Banaras Gharana. Following rigorous training under his father, he further honed his skills at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi, where he was mentored by Guru Pt. Rajendra Gangani, an exponent of the Jaipur Gharana. Afsar Khan holds an M.A. in Dance from Khairagarh University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Kathak from Kathak Kendra (where he was a scholarship recipient), and a Madhyama Poorna from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai. He is recognized as a Graded Artist of Doordarshan and an ICCR Empanelment Artist. Throughout his extensive career, Afsar Khan has held significant roles, including Senior Dancer at Drishtikon Dance Foundation and Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company, and Choreographer at Padmasri Shovana Narayan's Asavori Dance Institute. He also served as a Repertoire Senior Staff Artist and Prashikshak (Kathak Guru) at Kathak Kendra's National Institute of Kathak Dance. As a dedicated educator, he served as a Kathak Guru at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) in Mauritius, where he successfully trained over 300 students. He has also been a Senior Kathak Guru at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS). In 2022, he founded the Kaladham Foundation, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Indian classical art forms. Afsar Khan commenced performing at the age of five at the Guru Purnima Mahotsav in Pune and has since performed extensively across India and internationally, including tours through ICCR to Spain, China, Japan, Poland, Libya, Nepal, and Bangladesh. His choreographic works have been showcased at prestigious events like the Commonwealth Games and Pravasiya Bharatiya Divas. Notable choreographies include “Prakriti-Vikriti” and “Umeed – Colours of Hope,” the latter staged by his senior students in 15 cities worldwide. Awards & Honours: Graded Artist, Empanelment Artist, Scholarship Recipient.