Asavari Ukidve

🪔 About

Asavari Ukidve began her journey in Kathak dance at the age of seven in India, where she trained for approximately eight years. Her initial guru was Shri Rajkumar Ketkar, a disciple of Padmashri Gopi Krishna Ji. After a hiatus to pursue engineering studies in India and graduate studies in Utah in the mid-nineties, she rekindled her passion for Kathak upon moving to California in 1997. In 2000, Ukidve joined Pandit Chitresh Das's school, Chhandam, in Union City, where she found a deep connection with the institution's style and its founder. She had the privilege of learning directly under Pandit Chitresh Das, affectionately known as "Dadaji," until his passing in 2015. Following his demise, she continued her training and artistic development under the guidance of Charlotte Moraga, a Ganda Bandhan Shishya of Pandit Chitresh Das and the Artistic Director of the Chitresh Das Institute (CDI). Ukidve has been a dedicated performer, participating in numerous school show productions and various Bay Area dance and community events. A significant milestone in her career was her first full-length Kathak Solo, 'Nrityanjali,' performed in November 2022, under the mentorship of Charlotte Moraga. This performance held personal significance, as she paid tribute to her late father by dancing a segment in Raag Asavari, the Hindustani classical raag after which she was named. For this solo, Saneyee composed a new tarana in Raag Asavari. Beyond her performances, Asavari Ukidve is a committed educator. She commenced teaching at the Cupertino branch of the Chitresh Das Institute in 2011. Currently, she holds the position of senior faculty at CDI and serves as the Assistant Director of the Chitresh Das Youth Company. Through her teaching, Ukidve aims to perpetuate and expand the rich legacy of Pandit Chitresh Das, sharing her passion and knowledge with the next generation of Kathak dancers. Her daughter, Avani Viswanathan, has also trained at CDI for twelve years, is a member of the Chitresh Das Youth Company, and serves as a Teaching Assistant, having performed her graduating solo in August 2025.