Shobha Koser

🪔 About

Dr. Shobha Koser is a distinguished Indian Kathak dancer, writer, and teacher, widely recognized as a leading exponent of the Jaipur Gharana. Born in Agra into a medico family, she began her classical dance training at a young age under Guru Kanhiya Lal and later refined her skills under Guru Kundan Lal Gangani. She performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan before President Rajendra Prasad while still in class 8. Koser started performing on stage and studying classical dance at the age of 15. She holds a first-class Master of Arts (MA) degree in dance from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and has also completed Nritya Alankar from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai, and Nritya Praveen from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. Shobha Koser is the Registrar-cum-Treasurer of Pracheen Kala Kendra, an institution in Chandigarh dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Indian classical music and dance, which was founded by her late husband, Madan Lal Koser, in 1956. She has been instrumental in continuing its legacy and organizing numerous cultural programs. A dedicated guru for over five decades, she has trained generations of dancers and has served as an approved examiner for Kathak Dance at various universities. Koser is also an adept choreographer, having directed and produced several ballets, and has authored a book titled “Nritya Abhigyan” on Kathak. She was the Head of the Dance Department at Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh, and later retired as Principal. Her contributions to Kathak have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017), Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Amala Shankar Award, Pandit Manmohan Bhatt Memorial Award, K. Lalitha Lifetime Achievement Award, Konark International Award, Kala Shiromani Award, Award from All-India Critics Council of India (CCI), Lalit Arpan Samman, Nritya Surabhi, Nritya Shree, Nritya Urvashi, Nritya Sharda, Abhinaya Samaragi, Shreekshetra Nati.