Dr. Vinod Hasal

🪔 About

Dr. Vinod Hasal is a distinguished exponent of the Classical Kathak dance style, belonging to the Jaipur Gharana, and represents the eighth generation in a lineage of renowned dancers and musicians. He received his extensive training from his father, Guru Ganesh Hiralal Hasal. Dr. Hasal moved from India to South Africa in 1992, where he has since dedicated himself to teaching Classical Kathak and Folk dancing under the banner of the Radha Krishna Academy of Dance and Music. He is credited with being the first Indian to establish a dance academy in South Africa and pioneered free Indian dance and music classes in African townships like Soweto, Tembisa, and Alexandra starting in 1998/99. His efforts in bridging cross-cultural differences through dance have been widely recognized, including by the Indian Culture Centre (ICC) of Johannesburg and the ICCR (Delhi). Dr. Hasal has performed for several South African presidents, including Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, and Cyril Ramaphosa. He is also a founding member and director of Drum Cafe India, an international interactive drumming company. He has conducted extensive research on 'Parampara,' 'Dharohar,' and Rhythmic Cycles, and has participated in numerous international dance conferences, delivering in-depth lectures at various universities and institutions. Awards & Honours: First Place in Malhar (1986), State and National level Gold Medalist in Kathak (1986), Damayanti Joshi-Menaka Trophy for Best Dancer in Maharashtra (1987), State and National level Gold Medalist in Kathak (1987), State and National level Gold Medalist in Kathak (1988), Menaka Trophy for Best Dancer of Maharashtra (1989), First Place in Mood Indigo (1989), First Place in Classical Kathak (1990), Honoured by Bhakti Kala (1992), Hind Ratna Award (2003), Honoured by ICCR for producing the First African Classical Kathak Dancer (2005), Nritya Vidh Award (2011), Nritya Vidh Award (2012), Honoured by South African and Indian Governments.