Urja Thakore
Kathak Performer • Teacher
29+
Years of Experience
1+
Students Taught
1
Followers
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…
Journey Timeline
Age 4
Began learning Bharatanatyam
Age 6
Began learning Kathak — At Kadamb, Ahmedabad, under Kumudini Lakhia and Sandhya Desai
1997
Began teaching at Kadamb
2003
Moved to the UK — March
2005
Re-established Pagrav Dance Company in the UK
2007
Co-choreographed Akademi's Bells — For the Trafalgar Square Festival
2009
Assistant choreographer to Kumudini Lakhia — For the Swapnagata Festival curated by Akram Khan at Sadler's Wells
2012
Appointed Artistic Director of the first dance festival in Milton Keynes
2014
Received Utkarsh award from Akademi — For creating a new work in the classical canon
2014
Received commission from Kadam/Pulse — To create a new work based on Tagore
2015
Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer — Choreographed Vidya Patel's solo
2015
Pagrav Dance Company celebrated 10th anniversary
2022
Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer
2023
Winner of the Eastern Eye Award for Dance
2025
Pagrav Dance Company celebrated 20 years
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2014 · Utkarsh award — Akademi
- 2014 · Commission to create a new work based on Tagore — Kadam/Pulse
- 2015 · Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer
- 2022 · Guest Choreographer for BBC Young Dancer
- 2023 · Eastern Eye Award for Dance — Eastern Eye
Media Coverage
- In Conversation – Urja Desai Thakore
PulseConnects
- Urja Desai Thakore - Interview
Beyond the Curtain
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Students
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