Kasturi Mishra

🪔 About

Kasturi Mishra is a renowned Kathak dancer, choreographer, and teacher, recognized for her profound mastery of the Lucknow Gharana. She serves as the Artistic Director of Gharana Arts, an organization dedicated to promoting Indian classical arts. Mishra hails from a distinguished lineage of Indian classical artists; her grandfather, Pt. Ramnarayan Mishra, was a disciple of legendary Kathak maestros Pt. Achan Maharaj, Pt. Lachu Maharaj, and Pt. Shambhu Maharaj. Her initial training began under the tutelage of her father, Pt. Bachanlal Mishra, a revered Kathak artist and guru. Further shaping her artistry, she was deeply influenced by her uncle and Guru, Pt. Chitresh Das, a virtuoso performer of classical Kathak. Kasturi Mishra's dance style seamlessly blends the graceful and lyrical elements characteristic of the Lucknow school with dynamic and powerful rhythms. She has also trained in the Jaipur school, incorporating its vibrant and commanding rhythms into her repertoire. Her career includes performances at prestigious festivals across India and international engagements. In 2004, the Government of France invited her to perform and conduct workshops in Guadeloupe, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Indians on the island. She also performed solo at “Kathak at the Crossroads” in San Francisco in 2006 and Los Angeles in 2010. As a devoted educator, Mishra began teaching at Ram Narayan Sangeet Kala Kendra in 2000 and later at Nritya Bharati in Kolkata in 2004. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara, providing students with a holistic education in Kathak. She is also an innovative choreographer, known for her ability to develop strong and confident dancers. Her contributions to Kathak and her commitment to preserving its cultural heritage have earned her immense respect within the dance community. Kasturi Mishra's work was the subject of a short documentary titled “Krishna's Dancer,” directed by Dirk Hilbert, which received the "Best Documentary" jury award at Dance Screen 2007 in Amsterdam and was an official selection at WOMEX 2008 in Seville. Awards & Honours: Certifications, National Award, National Award, Best Documentary (Jury Award) for "Krishna's Dancer" (2007).