Acharya Pratishtha

🪔 About

Acharya Pratishtha, born Pratishtha Sharma in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, on December 1, 1983, is an internationally acclaimed Kathak performer, guru, author, yoga exponent, and former diplomat. She began her journey in dance at the tender age of three and is a gold medalist and topper of the National Institute of Kathak, New Delhi, where she completed a 3-year honors course and a 2-year post-diploma course, receiving a scholarship for her entire 5-year training period. She also holds an MA from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya and a BA Honours from Delhi University. Pratishtha received training from esteemed Kathak gurus including Guru Rajendra Gangani (Jaipur Gharana), Guru Jaikishan Maharaj, Guru Geetanjali Lal, and Ms. Aditi Mangaldas. She is recognized for her proficiency in 'laya,' 'footwork,' 'chakkar' (pirouettes), and 'Bhaava' (expressions), and has performed at numerous prestigious dance festivals across India and internationally. She is particularly noted for specializing in the storytelling form of Kathak, contributing to its reformation through television shows, stage performances, and dance dramas. Her choreographies often address social issues such as female feticide, patriotism, women's liberation, and child labor, utilizing dance as a tool for social awareness and healing. As a Kathak guru, she has trained many students globally and served as a Kathak and Yoga guru-cum-performer in Johannesburg and Jakarta through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs. She is the Founder Principal of Bharat College of Performing Arts and the Director of Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan. Acharya Pratishtha has authored five books, including bilingual works on Kathak such as "Essential Elements of Kathak" (published by the Indian Embassy in Indonesia and the Ministry of External Affairs) and "Lets Learn Kathak-1." She is also an empanelled artist of ICCR and a graded artist of Doordarshan. Awards & Honours: Sargam A samman (2000), Youngest Yogacharyaa & Mind Therapist (2007), International Ayurveda Samman, Dainik Jagran Samman, Tejaswini Samman, Queen of Kathak Yoga, Kathak Samragyi, Scholarship from Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, National Scholarship, Topper (Gold Medalist).