Urja Desai Thakore
Kathak Performer • Teacher
29+
Years of Experience
7+
Students Taught
1
Followers
❖ Guru Parampara ❖
View Full Parampara TreeAbout
Urja Desai Thakore is a highly acclaimed Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator, recognized as one of the UK's leading practitioners of the classical Indian dance form. Her journey in dance began at a young age in Ahmedabad, India, where she initially explored Bharatanatyam at four before dedicating herself to Kathak from the age of six. She received…
Journey Timeline
Early 1980s
Pagrav Dance Company originally established in India — Founded by her mother and sisters.
Age 4
Began learning Bharatanatyam
Age 6
Began learning Kathak — At Kadamb, Ahmedabad, under Kumudini Lakhia and Sandhya Desai.
1997
Began teaching at Kadamb
1997
Re-established Pagrav Dance Company in India
2003
Moved to the UK — In March.
2005
Re-established Pagrav Dance Company in the UK
2012
Appointed Artistic Director of the first dance festival in Milton Keynes
2014
Received Utkarsh award from Akademi — For creating a new work in the classical canon.
2014
Received commission from Kadam/Pulse — To create a new work based on Tagore.
2015
Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer — Choreographed Vidya Patel's solo.
2015
Selected for One Dance UK's Mentoring Programme
2015
Pagrav Dance Company celebrated 10th anniversary
2022
Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer
2023
Winner of the Eastern Eye Award for Dance
2025
Pagrav Dance Company celebrated 20 years
Photo Gallery
Photos will appear here.
Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 2014 · Utkarsh award — Akademi
- 2023 · Eastern Eye Award for Dance
Media Coverage
- In Conversation – Urja Desai Thakore
PulseConnects
- Urja Desai Thakore - Interview
Beyond the Curtain
Compiled from public sources and/or self-reported by the artist — not independently verified by NatyaNetwork. Is this you? Claim this profile to manage or correct it. See our Terms.