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Kathak Nrityakala Kendra(KNK) was established by Anila Sinha Foundation to provide the best guidance and instruction in Kathak dance to the future generation. The Academy of Kathak Dance was formally inaugurated by a performance on September 11, 1999. Kathak Nrityakala Kendra holds classes in the Chicagoland area with top instructors from India. The school emphasizes a thorough study of Kathak dance, along with the associated subjects of music, choreography and stagecraft.
Kathak Nrityakala Kendra is affiliated with Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad, India. Prayag Sangeet Samiti is the only authoritative agency with an established criteria of evaluation and standards to award degrees in the field of Indian classical music and dance. Exams are held every year in the Chicagoland area. The emphasis is on perfecting technique, developing grace and poise. The teaching is very structured. Students are given increasing responsibilities as they progress through the first, second and third years. They are encouraged to be creative are given plenty of opportunites to perform in public. Registration Tuition fee : For Group Lessons - $300.00 per quarter $240.00 per quarter (students under 12 yrs) For Individual Private Lessons - $480.00 per quarter Students are offered one class a week. The school is closed for winter. Please call 847-985-9142 for more information The Foundation has a large collection of books, journals and videos on North Indian classical music and Kathak dance. I t also houses a sizable collection of audiotapes and CDs. It released a double CD of Padmabushan Smt. Girija Devi on July 11, 1999. Please contact the foundation to order your CD today. Activities and Performances Music is a fundamental aspect of Kathak. North Indian classical music is Kathak's counterpart, as the rhythmic patterns and vocal and instrumental support in Kathak is based on classical music. Exposure, therefore, to vocal and instrumental classical music plays an important role in the Kathak learning process. The Foundation organizes at least one vocal or instrumental concert for the benefit of its students which would also serve as a major fundraising event. So far, since the inception of the Foundation, the following programs have been presented by the Anila Sinha Foundation: June 24th, 2000 Classical Vocal Concert by Padmabhusan Smt. Girija Devi July 11th, 1999 Classical Vocal Concert by Padmabhusan Smt. Girija Devi
May 20th, 2000 Kathak Dance Program at the Asian American Festival for the City of Chicago April 22nd, 2000 Workshop at the University of Illinois, Champagne Oct. 28th, 1999 Kathak Dance Recital for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs by Rachna Ramya and Neelima Berri Oct. 16th, 1999 Kathak Dance Program for the Bengali Association of Greater Chicago by Smt. Sandhya Desai and Group with live orchestra Sept. 11th, 1999 Inaugural Kathak Dance Program with live orchestra by Smt. Sandhya Desai and Group |
