Madhura Aphale

🪔 About

Madhura Aphale is a distinguished Kathak dancer, teacher, and choreographer, deeply rooted in the Indian classical dance tradition. Her journey in Kathak commenced at the tender age of five, leading to over 17 years of rigorous training under the esteemed guidance of Madhumita Ghosh and Padmashri Dr. Roshan Kumari, a renowned exponent of the Jaipur Gharana. Further solidifying her foundation, she has also been a senior disciple of Guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe for more than 22 years. Aphale achieved her graduation in Kathak in 1996, earning a Prabhakar from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and a Kathak Visharad from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (ABGMVM). Her academic pursuits culminated in a Masters degree in Kathak, NrutyaAlankar, from ABGMVM in November 2020, where she notably secured the highest score worldwide. Beyond her primary focus on Kathak, Aphale has a diverse dance repertoire, including Salsa, Odissi, and Bharatnatyam, alongside various Indian folk dances such as Ghumar, Bihari, Koli, Bhangda, Lavani, Garba, and Dandiya. Her performances showcase both traditional Kathak elements like Thumri, Gat Bhaav, Tarana, and Chaturang, and innovative Kathak fusion with contemporary music. She has extensively performed and choreographed numerous dance and drama productions for a range of events, including international corporate gatherings and film festivals. Aphale has graced stages across India, performing alongside her guru, Maneesha Sathe. She is also a co-founder of Sutradhar, an initiative dedicated to integrating the traditional storytelling style of kirtan into dance performances. As an educator, Madhura Aphale is the Director of Nritya Natya Kala Kendra, her own Kathak Dance and Drama Academy. Her teaching career spans since 1994, during which she has prepared students for Kathak dance theory and practical examinations following Gandharva, Prayag, or Samved curricula. Since 2020, she has also contributed as a Staff Teacher at Maneesha Nrityalaya. Aphale has developed and implemented several applied dance and theatre learning programs specifically designed for children. Awards & Honours: NrutyaAlankar (Masters in Kathak) Highest Scorer worldwide (2020), Prabhakar/Visharad (Graduation) with distinction in Kathak Indian Classical Dance, Best Choreography, Best Dancer, Women in Excellence Award, Woman in Architecture and Engineering Award.