Isabelle Anna

🪔 About

Isabelle Anna is a renowned French Kathak dancer and choreographer, recognized for her significant contributions to Indian classical dance. Born into an environment dedicated to Indian performing arts, she began her dance journey at the age of five with Bharatanatyam. She also trained in Piano, Solfeggio, music writing, drama, and Western Ballet for several years. In 1998, she discovered Kathak in Paris under Sharmila Sharma, a disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj, at Centre Mandapa, an institution founded and run by her parents, Milena Salvini (a Padma Shri awardee) and her father. As an Indo-French government scholar (2001-2003) and an ICCR scholar (2001, 2003-2005), Isabelle Anna moved to New Delhi to pursue advanced Kathak training. She joined Kathak Kendra and studied under the tutelage of Pt. Jaikishan Maharaj, son of the legendary Pt. Birju Maharaj, earning her Honours (2004) and Post Diplomas (2006). Her training also encompassed Tabla, yoga, and vocal music. Empanelled with the ICCR in 2007, Anna established her dance company, "Kaleidans'Scop," and has since performed extensively across India (including the Khajuraho Festival, Chakradhar Samaroh, Bonjour India tour, Neemrana Fort Palace, Kamani Auditorium, ICCR Azad Bhawan, and NCPA Mumbai), Pakistan, Bangladesh, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. Her performances blend the traditional aspects of the Lucknow Gharana with innovative choreographies that explore the connections between Kathak and Western music. Isabelle Anna is also a dedicated educator. She began teaching Kathak and Western Ballet at the Ecole Française de New Delhi in 2003 and worked with mentally challenged children at the Inspiration Centre in New Delhi. She has conducted numerous workshops internationally to promote the Kathak tradition of her Guruji Pt. Jaikishan Maharaj. Currently based in Paris, she runs Centre Mandapa, continuing her work as a performer, choreographer, and teacher, and is recognized by the Government of India for her promotion of Indian classical dance. She has performed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on multiple occasions, highlighting her role in strengthening cultural ties between India and France.