Dr. Piyush Raj

🪔 About

Dr. Piyush Raj is a distinguished Indian classical Kathak dancer, performer, teacher, choreographer, researcher, and institution head, based in Mumbai, India. His journey in Kathak began under the tutelage of Dr. Shveni Pandya, a disciple of Pandit Lacchu Maharaj, earning him the title of Nritya Visharad in 1997. He further honed his skills over 18 years in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara under the late Shri Bireshwar Gautam of the Lucknow Gharana, a renowned Kathak exponent and Thumri singer. Dr. Raj continues his advanced training under Padmashri Dr. Puru Dadheech, focusing on reviving the ancient Kathak Kathan Parampara and exploring rare rhythmic patterns. He has also enriched his dance vocabulary through workshops with legends like Pandit Birju Maharaj (1998), Guru Pratap Pawar (2011), and master classes with Aditi Mangaldas (2017, 2018). Beyond his artistic pursuits, Dr. Piyush Raj holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy and an MBA in Marketing, having spent two decades in the medical industry and a decade in interior and furniture design before dedicating himself entirely to the performing arts. This unique background contributes to his academic approach to dance, integrating theoretical aspects with practical performance. He is the Founder Director of Natanam Studio for Performing Arts in Mumbai, established in 2018, which serves as a creative platform for various classical performing arts and is affiliated with the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Natavari Academy of Kathak Dance. He also serves as a trustee of the Kathak Darpan Cultural Centre, a charitable trust founded by his late Guru Shri Bireshwar Gautam, actively promoting and preserving classical dance forms. Dr. Raj has graced numerous prestigious stages across India, including the Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai, the Ellora Festival, the Purush Festival at Nehru Centre, and the Vasantotsav of Kalashram, Delhi, organized by Pandit Birju Maharaj. He is an accredited Kathak teacher and an examiner for the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, providing virtual online training to students globally. His contributions extend to choreography, notably assisting in acclaimed dance ballets like "Raag Milan" and "Kathak aur Thumri ke Rang." As a researcher, he has presented papers at international conferences, including the Maya Rao Conference on Choreography in Kathak (2020) and the first International Kathak Conference 2021, where his paper "Glimpses of Kathak Terminologies in Sangitadarpanam" was published in the National Journal "Sangeet Natak" (2020). In 2024, he was honored with the "Kala Vagvisvarupini" Title from HTCC Bothell, WA, USA, for an Odissi performance. Awards & Honours: Kala Vagvisvarupini Title (2024).