Taraana Academy of Kathak

The only studio dedicated solely for the practice of Kathak, Hindustani Vocals, and Yoga in the heart of Chennai city.

Taraana Academy Of Kathak is a Chennai based institute that provides training in Kathak. Built on an aim to promote ‘Shudh’(pure) Kathak in a social and educational context, Taraana Academy strives to develop a systematic dance training programme.

Courses Contact

About Taraana Academy

At Taraana, we strongly believe that a strong dancer is created in the studio and a star performer is born onstage.

Taraana was founded in 2015 by Kathak danseuse – Shritha Baskar , along with her mother– Vasantha Baskar. A joint vision – Taraana Academy – was born out of a Skype conversation with the rest of the family.

Taraana has evolved into a premier Kathak Academy catering to over students of differing backgrounds ages ranging from 6 to 60.

A Kathak academy in Chennai that focuses on classical dance as a form of therapy; Taraana also facilitates Yoga for Dance and Hindustani Music sessions. Through regular classes, workshops, and events we make training in Kathak available to all keen learners in the city.

About the Founder

Shritha currently trains under the guidance of Guru Smt. Nayantara Parpia (disciple of Smt. Yogini Gandhi and Pt. Birju Maharaj).

Shritha Baskar is a Kathak danseuse born and brought up in Dubai. She began training at the age of five under Guru Smt. Ketaki Hazra, a disciple of Smt. Bela Arnab. Being trained in the Jaipur and Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, Shritha earned herself a Senior Diploma in Kathak Dance from the Surabharati Sangeet Parishad, Kolkata, at the age of seventeen.

She has several performances to her credit, including regular recitals for the Diplomatic Corps, the Indian Embassy of various countries and the Festival of India around regions of the Arabian Gulf.

Shritha simultaneously took pleasure in teaching Kathak and semi classical dance to the students of the ‘Dubai Centre for Special Needs’ and ‘Special Needs Families’. Her work with the differently-abled has gained her many more accolades in the United Arab Emirates.

Moving to Chennai in 2011 only made it more opportune for Shritha to regularly attend workshops conducted by Pandit Birju Maharaj and Vidushi Saswati Sen and many other senior dancers. Adept in both Nrtta and Abhinaya, Shritha’s performances have been well lauded.

Courses

Kathak:
- Group classes for all levels and age groups
- Personalized one-on-one sessions
Hindustani Music:
Hindustani Vocal:
- Group classes for all levels and age groups
- Personalized one-on-one sessions
Tabla/Sitar Classes:
We conduct workshops and offer one-on-one classes for Tabla and Sitar based on request.
Yoga:
Yoga for dance specifically is an integral part of our regular classes. In addition, we have yoga courses for those who may be interested.

Faculty

Shritha Baskar
Shritha Baskar began her training at the age of five under Guru Smt. Ketaki Hazra, a disciple of Smt. Bela Arnab. Shritha earned herself a Senior Diploma in Kathak Dance from the Surabharati Sangeet Parishad, Kolkata, at the age of seventeen.
Read more about Shritha here.
Asmi Mehra
Asmi has been learning Kathak under the guidance of Shritha Baskar since 2016 and has attended several workshops conducted by Pt.Birju Maharaj, Smt. Durga Arya to name a few. Being one of the most senior dancers of the academy, Asmi also has been teaching students of Taraana Academy since 2020.
Dhanya Krishnan
Dhanya has been receiving her training in Kathak from Shritha Baskar since 2017. She has also attended workshops conducted by Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Saswati Sen, Smt. Durga Arya, and other notable Gurus. Besides teaching at Taraana, she also works as a Content Writer in an IT firm in Chennai.
Komal Parmar
Komal has been learning Kathak under Shrita Baskar since 2019 . She has attended workshops conducted by Smt. Durga Arya, Sri. Avenav Mukherjee, Smt. Ragini Maharaj and Smt. Nayantara Parpia. She is known to be one of the most hard working students and now teacher, too. Her passion for Kathak has also been inherited by her daughter who also is a student at Taraana Academy.
Varsha Ramesh
Varsha Ramesh has been learning and training in Kathak under Shrita Baskar since 2017. She is known to bring elegance and poise to every performance. Varsha has participated in workshops led by late Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Durga Arya and many other renowned Gurus. Varsha also works as an accountant for her family firm.

Dance, Music and Yoga can be used to:

Improve body language
Destress
Develop flexibility
Improve posture and alignment of body
Understand the proper execution of Laya and Taal
Perform on stage in front of audiences; building confidence and self expression.

Eligibility:

There is no restriction on maximum age. People of 5 years and more can join these programmes. Beginners as well as those with some experience in Kathak can join these programmes.