Akhila Rao
Director
Akhila Rao has been in the field of Kathak for over 40+ years. Inspired and supported by her father K J Rao, a leading Kannada stage Actor-Director, Akhila was trained from an early age under the guidance of Guru Shri Ganesh Hiralal in Mumbai, performing her Rang Manch Pravesh in 1978 and presenting at leading venues in India. Recipient of the "Singar Mani" title, awarded by Sur-Singar Samsad at the Kal-Ke-Kalakaar Festival in 1981, she was also winner of The "Menaka Trophy" for Kathak, at the Bombay University Youth Festival. Akhila has also had specialized training for teaching students the finer aspects of Kathak, under the guidance of Guru Late Smt. Asha Joglekar in Mumbai.
Akhila' choreography is well known and appreciated by the global audience for the unique presentations, educative themes and social messaging. She and students have been invited to present and perform at prestigious events in India and USA.
She has been training students in Dallas, USA and earlier in Mumbai in the finer traditional aspects of Kathak, set to a structured course and evaluated to the certification standards of a reputed academy of Indian Classical Dance and Music. She serves as an examiner for Samved Conservatory of Indian Classical Music and Dance, New Jersey, and is the Texas region coordinator of the Institute. She also is an examiner for Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai. Akhila is also an advisory board member of the Indian Classical Music Circle of DFW. She is often invited as a guest scholar/lecturer at universities across Texas for World Dance cultural and movement workshops.
Kathak Rhythms founded by Akhila is a premier Kathak dance school of USA, based in Plano, Texas, where she has trained over 300+ students at 3 locations in the DFW metroplex, as also students at Austin. Many of her students have accomplished Vishaarad (graduation) level, as well as completed their Rang Manch Pravesh. Her senior students have performed at prestigious programs and venues, receiving acclaim and recognition in events globally such as Kal-Ke-Kalakaar, Lotus World Festival, Gandharva Festival, International Kathak Festival etc. and honored with titles including Singar Mani, Natya Praveena and Nritya Gandharva.
At Kathak Rhythms, Akhila is passionately focused on training the future generation of Kathak dancers and teachers in the USA, by providing a thorough appreciation of theory and performance aspects of this beautiful dance. In addition to the Nritta, Nritya and Natya aspects of Kathak, her structured training covers its history, influences of various cultures and the richness of all the Kathak Gharanas, She is committed to her mission to nurture and mentor students devoted to Kathak, who will continue to perform, preserve and teach this ancient and rich style of Indian classical dance.
Akhila' choreography is well known and appreciated by the global audience for the unique presentations, educative themes and social messaging. She and students have been invited to present and perform at prestigious events in India and USA.
She has been training students in Dallas, USA and earlier in Mumbai in the finer traditional aspects of Kathak, set to a structured course and evaluated to the certification standards of a reputed academy of Indian Classical Dance and Music. She serves as an examiner for Samved Conservatory of Indian Classical Music and Dance, New Jersey, and is the Texas region coordinator of the Institute. She also is an examiner for Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai. Akhila is also an advisory board member of the Indian Classical Music Circle of DFW. She is often invited as a guest scholar/lecturer at universities across Texas for World Dance cultural and movement workshops.
Kathak Rhythms founded by Akhila is a premier Kathak dance school of USA, based in Plano, Texas, where she has trained over 300+ students at 3 locations in the DFW metroplex, as also students at Austin. Many of her students have accomplished Vishaarad (graduation) level, as well as completed their Rang Manch Pravesh. Her senior students have performed at prestigious programs and venues, receiving acclaim and recognition in events globally such as Kal-Ke-Kalakaar, Lotus World Festival, Gandharva Festival, International Kathak Festival etc. and honored with titles including Singar Mani, Natya Praveena and Nritya Gandharva.
At Kathak Rhythms, Akhila is passionately focused on training the future generation of Kathak dancers and teachers in the USA, by providing a thorough appreciation of theory and performance aspects of this beautiful dance. In addition to the Nritta, Nritya and Natya aspects of Kathak, her structured training covers its history, influences of various cultures and the richness of all the Kathak Gharanas, She is committed to her mission to nurture and mentor students devoted to Kathak, who will continue to perform, preserve and teach this ancient and rich style of Indian classical dance.
Radio Caravan interview of Guru Akhila Rao by RJ Rachana on Artist ki Aawaaz, Dec 29, 2019 |
Her Gurus
Late Acharya
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Late Guru
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