Ravi Jain

🪔 About

Guru Ravi Jain was a distinguished Indian classical Kathak dancer, guru, and choreographer, known for his profound contributions to the art form. He was a revered disciple of the legendary Padmashree Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana and also received training from Alaknanda Devi of the Benaras gharana, which deeply influenced his artistic style. His performances and teachings embodied a rich blend of these traditional Kathak styles. Guru Ravi Jain was married to Guru Nalini Malhotra Jain, herself a Kathak exponent trained under Pt. Sunder Prasad and Guru Kundan Lal Gangani of the Jaipur Gharana. Throughout his career, Guru Ravi Jain was recognized for his innovative choreographic productions, many of which were featured on Doordarshan, India's national television. Notable among these were "Tum Chandan Hum Pani," based on the life of Sant Ravi Das, as well as "Pratham Purush," "Yashodhara," and "Jyoti Pushp". In 1980, he founded Kala Kunj, a cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Indian performing art forms. Even after his untimely demise in 2012, Kala Kunj continues his legacy by organizing the annual "Guru Ravi Jain Youth Festival of Classical Dance and Music" in Delhi, providing a platform for young classical artists. His daughter, Richa Jain, a prominent Kathak dancer, continues to carry forward his artistic lineage and the work of Kala Kunj.