Rosella Fanelli

🪔 About

Rossella Fanelli is an Italian exponent of Indian classical dance, primarily known for her mastery of Kathak, particularly the Lucknow gharana style. She dedicated nearly 15 years to studying Kathak in India, where she trained under the renowned Guru Pandit Arjun Mishra in Lucknow. Her rigorous training led her to become the first Westerner to achieve a dual master's degree in classical Kathak dance in India. Fanelli's career as a performer has seen her grace stages both in India and internationally. She performed at the Gandhi Bhawan auditorium in Lucknow in 2001 and in Allahabad in 2005. More recently, in May 2026, she was among a group of Italian dancers who performed a 'Trigalbandi' (including Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathak) to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome, an event that garnered significant attention. Beyond performing, Fanelli is a dedicated teacher and promoter of Indian classical dance in Europe. She is associated with Scuola Kathak Italia and serves as a Kathak instructor at the Conservatorio di Vicenza. Her teaching methodology often integrates yogic techniques to foster harmony between body, mind, and spirit. Her work showcases a unique blend of Eastern and Western artistic influences while remaining deeply rooted in the traditional Kathak style. She continues to perform and teach, contributing to the global reach and appreciation of Indian classical dance.