Smeetha Maharaj

🪔 About

Smeetha Maharaj is a renowned Kathak exponent and a dedicated figure in Indian classical dance, based in Durban, South Africa. Born in Asherville, Durban, she began her dance journey at the tender age of six, initially studying Bharatanatyam under Kumari Ja Lakshmi Naidu. Her early exposure to dance also included learning folk dances as a member of the Shri Shanka Gangali troop. A pivotal moment in her artistic development came after witnessing a performance by the late guru Nataraj Gopi Krishna in South Africa, which reawakened her interest in classical arts. This inspiration led her to pursue intensive Kathak training in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, starting in 1980, a journey supported by her parents. Smeetha Maharaj is the Principal of the Nateshwar Dance Academy, an institution founded by her mother, Draupadi Singh, approximately 35 years prior to a May 2015 interview, placing its establishment around 1980. The academy, located in Durban, South Africa, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian dance forms, including Kathak, Folk Dances, and Bollywood. Under her leadership, the Nateshwar Dance Academy has expanded its reach to include branches in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and offers classes in various locations within KwaZulu-Natal, such as Westville, Umhlanga, Greyville, and Ballito. As a performer and teacher, Smeetha Maharaj is committed to nurturing tradition and talent, passing on her profound love for dance to new generations. She personally resumed teaching classes post-lockdown in 2020, offering lessons across multiple locations. The academy has garnered recognition for its well-received productions, including the "Chalo Cinema" series and "Sankers," which portrayed the struggles of Indians in South Africa. Her daughter, Ruhi, has followed in her footsteps, studying Kathak, jazz, Spanish tap, ballroom, and Bollywood, and also trained in Kathak in India with her mother. Among her documented senior disciples are Usha Govind, Riyaska Singh, Sarsha Lavania Pillay, Anneline Lisa Beharilall, and Varuna Karishma Singh, who performed their Kathak debut recital, "Rangmanch Pravesh," in 2016. Nayika Brijlal, another student, also went on to teach at the academy.