Perkaash Makhan

🪔 About

Perkaash Makhan, also known by his adopted name Shakshi Gopal since 1987, is a prominent Kathak dancer and teacher with roots in Suriname, South America, and a significant career in the Netherlands. Born in Suriname in 1969, Makhan began his Kathak training at the age of four in 1973, coinciding with the arrival of Mr. Gora Sing, the first Indian Kathak dancer in Suriname. This early exposure marked the beginning of his journey in Indian classical dance. He is recognized as a first-generation Kathak dancer from Suriname, playing a pioneering role in the development and spread of Indian dance in the region. Makhan's teaching career began in Suriname, where he taught Kathak and semi-classical Indian dance at Theater Thalia. One of his notable students during this period was Namita Ajodhia, who studied with him from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, Makhan relocated to the Netherlands, where he continued to teach Kathak. His commitment to the art form led him to make numerous visits to India—39 in total—for further dance and spiritual development. Through his teaching and performances, Perkaash Makhan has contributed to the establishment and growth of Kathak dance in both Suriname and the Netherlands, bridging cultural divides and fostering a deeper appreciation for Indian classical arts in the diaspora. He has also authored a blog post detailing the history and development of Indian dance in Suriname.