Vaswati Misra

🪔 About

Vaswati Misra is a distinguished Indian Kathak dancer, choreographer, and guru, deeply dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of the Lucknow Kathak Gharana. She received her formative training at Kathak Kendra under the tutelage of Reba Vidyarthi and the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, whose influence significantly shaped her artistic sensibility. Misra also trained at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra under Sumitra Charat Ram. Although not born into the Gharana, she became part of this prestigious tradition through her marriage to Pandit Krishan Mohan Misra, the eldest son of the revered Kathak maestro Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. With a career spanning over five decades as a Kathak dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Misra is known for her choreography that blends classical techniques with contemporary interpretations, characterized by its grace and depth. In 1984, she founded Dhwani, an initiative described as a space where expression transcends the obvious. This organization was formally established as Dhwani Dance and Music Academy in New Delhi in 1999, with the objective of preserving and transmitting the lineage-based approach to Kathak. Dhwani is also referred to as the Pandit Shambhu Maharaj Kathak Academy. Through performance, teaching, and institution-building, Vaswati Misra continues to contribute significantly to the continuity of the Lucknow Gharana tradition in contemporary Kathak practice. She is also known for her views on preserving the originality of classical dance forms against the influence of Bollywood. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2025).