Gaurav Bhatti

🪔 About

Gaurav Bhatti is a dancer and choreographer who works at the intersection of North Indian classical Kathak and contemporary dance. He is known for his virtuosic performances, which are characterized by explosive energy, dramatic complexity, and eloquent emotion. Bhatti's artistic journey began in Punjab, India, and continued after he immigrated to Canada in 2006. He formally began studying Kathak at the age of 23, inspired by classical dancers he encountered during his university days. He received his Kathak training from esteemed gurus Saveeta Sharma in Ottawa, Lata Bakalkar in Mumbai, and is currently under the guidance of Aditi Mangaldas in Delhi. For nearly seven years, Bhatti has been an integral part of the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company, performing internationally in countries such as the UK, Germany, Russia, and Singapore. He has also interpreted works by Akash Odedra and Gauri Diwakar. Bhatti's choreographic style seamlessly blends traditional Kathak with other dance forms, including Punjabi folk dances and Western movement forms, applying a distinctive contemporary sensibility. His works often incorporate narrative structures familiar to contemporary dance audiences. In 2021, he was awarded the inaugural Dr. Sunil Kothari Award for Emerging Artists for his work “Hemant,” an honor instituted by the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company—The Drishtikon Foundation. He is the founder of the Gaurav Bhatti Dance Company and an accomplished dance educator, conducting workshops globally in locations such as Toronto, Ottawa, Mumbai, and the UK. He has also served as a rehearsal director for Aditi Mangaldas's new solo “Forbidden” and for the Aakash Odedra Company. His recent full-length solo, “Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light,” inspired by the 18th-century Sufi mystic, premiered in March 2025. He splits his time between Vancouver, Canada, and New Delhi, India. Awards & Honours: Dr. Sunil Kothari Award for Emerging Artists (2021).