Our Legacy
Founded by Padmashri Guru Dr. Shovana Narayan, Asavari is not just a school.it is a cultural movement. Since 1979, Asavari has stood as a sanctuary for serious artistic pursuit, rooted in the classical Guru-Shishya Parampara and adapted for the evolving world.
Here, dance is a language , of storytelling, soul-searching, and social reflection.
Through performance, pedagogy, and purpose, Asavari nurtures artists who carry forward both the aesthetics and ethics of classical Indian dance.
Across decades, Asavari has collaborated with renowned artists, scholars, and cultural institutions across India.
From reimagining Indian epics to amplifying voices of unity and resilience, these works have brought Kathak into new realms ,theatre, poetry, classical music, and beyond.Every collaboration becomes a bridge , connecting tradition with contemporary relevance, and artist with audience.
With over 100 original choreographies since 1972, Asavari Productions has expanded the canvas of Kathak. Under Shovana Ji’s direction, the repertory has created works that weave classical technique with:
These aren’t just performances ,they are moving dialogues with the world.
Padmashri Dr. Shovana Narayan is not only one of India’s most celebrated Kathak dancers but also a philosopher, academician, and visionary mentor.
She continues to redefine the boundaries of classical arts, ensuring that Kathak remains alive.
A scholar, choreographer, and senior disciple of Shovana Ji, leading intermediate and senior training
Shruti Gupta Chandra (Delhi): Shruti started training under Guru Shovana in 1972 and quickly made her mark as an acclaimed young soloist in the field of Kathak. Simultaneously, she received training in visual arts and won the National award for her work in 2005 by the Lalit Kala Akademi. Shruti has been awarded the Cultural Scholarship for Painting by the Government of India, from 1984 to 1987. She has also been awarded the Junior Fellowship by the Department of Culture, Government of India in 1991 for three years. Since then Shruti has never looked back. With All India award of the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society for her work in 1986 and 1995, a Solo Exhibition of her Pencil and Pastel works in 1994 at the Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi, and One-Person Shows, Solo Exhibitions and group shows, Shruti is a visual artist of national and international repute.The silver lining is that dance and Kathak never left her as she continues to devote time to its holistic pursuit.
It was her mother’s interest combined with Shriya’s natural talent and interest for Kathak that saw her mother take up residence in Delhi so that Shriya could receive rigorous training from Guru Shovana Narayan. The next decade saw Shriya emerge as a well trained Kathak dancer whose performances received great acclaim. Later she moved to Mumbai to join the world of films where she made her mark as an extremely fine actress.
Beenu Rajpoot trained in Kathak at the Asavari Centre under Guru Tirath Ajmani and Guru Shovana Narayan for a short period. The understanding of dance and performing arts led her to developing into an intelligent Delhi based Indian documentary filmmaker. For over one and half decades, she has been continuously promoting Indian Art, Culture, Literature and health through films and other different mediums & platforms and has made over 34 documentaries till date. Some of her documentary films have won awards. Not only has she worked with several Bollywood superstars such as Dharminder Deol, Akshay Kumar, Ranjit Singh, Late Tom Alter, Gautam Ghambhir, Bhasha Sambli & others, she is also 'Fit India Champion’ in Fit India Movement launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. She is a member of IDPA (Indian Documentary Producers Association), IFTDA (Indian Film and Television Directors' Association) and SWA (Screenwriters Association) Mumbai besides being the Editor of "Wings of Vision Magazine'' and Gen Secretary of Agrimaa Society of Arts Delhi (a Regt Society which works for Indian art & culture).
With a strong Kathak training under her belt that she received under Guru Shovana, Chhavi today is a successful artist in the media industry where she works on project bases with the Art Department in movies and also as a Set Decorator.
Trained under Guru Shovana Narayan, Sana is a renowned choreographer of Indian dances, based in USA (New York). Along with her mother, the well-known Salma Sultan Sana also is an entrepreneur who is actively associated in the promotion of Saree Sanskriti with Indian designs and Indian weavers.
started her mentoring from Guru Shovana Narayan as a mere toddler, when accompanying her elder sister to the dance classes. Today she is an acclaimed Kathak soloist and choreographer, who is making waves in the field of dance. Gifted with a probing mind, her interpretations of traditional themes, multi-dance style collaborative works and her enthralling solo recitals. She is a recipient of several awards and is a film maker of repute.
who learnt for 14/15 years from Guru Shovana Narayan and had already started making her name as a soloist even before 2015/16. Today she is making waves in the field as one of the most popular dancers of today with many ‘followers’. She has collaborated with leading personalities in the world of films, fashion events and is a regular face as the leading dancer in Muzaffar Ali productions.
based in Melbourne, has been a disciple of Guru Shovana Narayan since the age of ten. Every weekend saw her religiously coming to Delhi from Rohtak to receive training from Guru Shovana. Her dedication and ‘sadhna’ has seen her becoming an acclaimed Kathak artiste with deep roots in her tradition for she was the first who carried out research in Dogri language and Indian classical dance interpretations that she presented in Kathak to very wide appreciation. She is recognized as India's Dancing Queen for translating ancient texts through dance. Sanchita today is a recognised venerated figure asan international Kathak exponent and cultural entrepreneur and is very successfully a full-fledged dance academy in Melbourne.
is a dancer, performer, teacher, and choreographer and is also the Founder and Artistic Director of InSyncKathak Dance School based in Fremont, California. In the nine years since its inception, InSyncKathak Dance School has over 100 students, 150 performances and 50 awards to its credit. In the true spirit of the Guru-Shishya Parampara, students are given rigorous training in all aspects of the Lucknow Gharana style of traditional classical Kathak: nritta, nritya and natya. Her choreographic works have been presented at dance festivals and concerts in the US and Canada including San Francisco Movement Arts Festival, PUSH fest, Toronto International Youth Dance Festival, and several Bay Area organizations. Under her tutelage, Reva Srivastava became a National YoungArts Finalist Winner in the World Dance category for 2022, a feat which was repeated in 2023.
born a Lithuanian, is an Indian at heart. Her deep love for Kathak is visible in her depth of emotions in abhinaya where she lives and breathes the character and in her mastery over the rhythmic technical brilliance of the dance style. Her inter-disciplinary works have been greatly hailed. In addition to teaching Hindi in Vilnius University, she has been successfully training several Lithuanians in the art of Kathak at her academy, the Natya Devi Dance Centre, Lithuania.
trained under Guru Shovana for over 12 years and today is a recognised name in the field of Kathak. Her style of presentation consists of a harmonious blend of Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas that she has imbibed from her guru. Based in the UK, she performs around the globe and is also imparting training to members of the younger generation based in the UK.
learnt from Guru Shovana for over 14 years. Endowed with a beautiful melodious voice, depth of expression, rhythmic brilliance not only in execution but also in the ‘upaj’ ang, Madhura is known to use Kathak as a tool to delve into her connection with the universe and use it as her language of self-expression.
started learning from Guru Shovana when she was only four years old. She received rigorous training under the direct tutelage of her guru, who mentored her and guided her that saw her emerge as a brilliant dancer whose performances received critical applause from critics, connoisseurs alike. Her move to Mumbai over 17/18 years ago, saw her being lost to the corporate world for some time but she made a remarkable comeback to the world of Kathak some 5 years ago, proving that the basic sound training was not lost.
FAQs
No, we welcome students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.
We typically accept students from age 6 onwards.
Yes, we have both in-person and virtual training options.
Progress depends on individual dedication and practice. Foundational skills can take 1-2 years, while mastery is a lifelong journey.
Yes, performance opportunities are part of the curriculum to build confidence and stage presence.
Comfortable Indian attire such as salwar-kameez or kurta-pyjama, with ghungroos (ankle bells) for practice.
Yes, we offer recognised certifications through affiliated boards or institutions.
No, Kathak is for everyone regardless of gender. Many of the stalwarts of Kathak are male.
Yes, many students blend Kathak training with other styles, but dedication to regular practice is essential.
Not at all. Many of our adult students started in their late 50s and 60s.
Most batches have classes twice a week, with practice encouraged at home.
Fees vary by batch and range from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 per month, depending on the level and schedule.
Yes, we offer a one-time trial session to experience the format and teaching style.
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