Prajakta Raj

🪔 About

Prajakta Raj, also known as Prajakta Atre, is a Kathak dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Pune, India, with over 41 years of experience in the field. She is a senior disciple of Kathak legends Guru Rohini Bhate and Guru Roshan Datye. Prajakta Raj received 14 years of training from Guru Roshan Datye, followed by advanced training from Guru Rohini Bhate at Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy from 1996 to 2008. She holds a Master's Degree in Kathak from Lalit Kala Kendra, the Centre for Performing Arts, Pune University, where she currently serves as a Guru and Examiner. Additionally, she possesses a Master's Degree in French Language from Pune University and has worked as a French lecturer. Prajakta Raj is the Founder-Director of Aarohini Art Welfare Organisation, a non-profit company established in 1992, dedicated to promoting Kathak and other art forms. She has been teaching at Aarohini since 1992. She also serves as the Co-Director at Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy, where she has been an honorary teacher since 2006. Prajakta Raj is an artist empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). She has performed solo and with her troupe, conducting workshops and lecture-demonstrations across India and in countries including the USA, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Her dedication to teaching spans over 30 years, during which she has developed her own techniques to impart the intricacies of Kathak, specializing in both Nritta (technical aspect) and Nritya (abhinaya/expression). Awards & Honours: Nritya Shiromani Award (2018).