Urja Thakore

🪔 About

Urja Desai Thakore is a highly acclaimed Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator, recognized as one of the UK's leading practitioners of the classical Indian dance form. Born in Ahmedabad, India, her journey in dance began at the age of four with Bharatanatyam, before she dedicated herself to Kathak from the age of six. She received her foundational training at Kadamb, Ahmedabad, under the tutelage of legendary guru Kumudini Lakhia and Sandhya Desai, for over 20 years. Thakore furthered her academic qualifications with a BA in Kathak from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya and an MA in South Asian Dance with Choreography from Roehampton University. She began her teaching career at Kadamb in 1997. In March 2003, she moved to the UK and re-established Pagrav Dance Company in 2005, where she serves as the Artistic Director and CEO. Thakore is renowned for her innovative approach, blending impeccable classical Kathak technique with contemporary storytelling and staging, and her sensitive, thought-provoking choreographic style is highly regarded by both traditionalists and modernists. Awards & Honours: Utkarsh award (2014), Commission to create a new work based on Tagore (2014), Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer (2015), Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer (2022), Eastern Eye Award for Dance (2023).