About Us
The Gurukul Performing Arts is committed to providing our students with a complete understanding and training in whichever dance style they are interested in. Students begin by building a strong foundation by learning basic techniques of their preferred dance style. They then continue to develop their passion for their art with Abhinaya (expressions), changing dynamics, training in multiple artistic disciplines, and lots of Riyaaz (practice). No matter who you are or where you are in life, dance and music can be a beautiful way to bring art in to your soul.
“Shivani is an exceptional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher! 6 years ago, I saw Shivani's mesmerizing dance performance that got me to sign up for semi classical and pure kathak classes with her. Her passion for dance, her talent and her professionalism are unmatched. She is an amazing teacher who believes in her students. Students flourish under her guidance and develop a strong passion, love and devotion for the art form.
Shivani takes her role as a dance guru very seriously, and not just teaches the dance form but also motivates and creates a safe environment for her students and encourages them to express themselves openly and always ready to guide and help them in not only their professional, but also personal quests, just as a true Guru does. At Gurukul, we are a close knit dance family. Shivani is
also a wonderful person, very down to earth, yet, very passionate and puts her heart and soul in everything she does.
I am blessed to have Shivani as my dance guru!” - Payal Halder, Student of Gurukul
“Shivani is an exceptional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher! 6 years ago, I saw Shivani's mesmerizing dance performance that got me to sign up for semi classical and pure kathak classes with her. Her passion for dance, her talent and her professionalism are unmatched. She is an amazing teacher who believes in her students. Students flourish under her guidance and develop a strong passion, love and devotion for the art form.
Shivani takes her role as a dance guru very seriously, and not just teaches the dance form but also motivates and creates a safe environment for her students and encourages them to express themselves openly and always ready to guide and help them in not only their professional, but also personal quests, just as a true Guru does. At Gurukul, we are a close knit dance family. Shivani is
also a wonderful person, very down to earth, yet, very passionate and puts her heart and soul in everything she does.
I am blessed to have Shivani as my dance guru!” - Shaila Parekh, Student of Gurukul
“After trying several different dance classes and styles, my daughter really loved going to Gurukul by Shivani Badgi. I have seen her grow over last seven years into a disciplined , well coordinated kathak dancer with grace and agility. She has made so many good friends over years. Shivani is strict and fun at the same time. She makes sure that the dancers are motivated, with her enthusiasm and hard work. She herself is a well accomplished dancer , learnt and rooted in US and understands the mindset of these young girls and boys. At the same time due to her huge network, the dancers from her school get various performing opportunities like Carnegie and Disney. Nandatai , herself a kathak dancer, is always supportive and goes above and beyond to design and tailor beautiful costumes making every performance so beautiful,. This mother daughter duo is excellent kathak team and I would definitely recommend Gurukul performing arts for your child.” - Dr. Priti Dagli, Parent of Gurukul
Who We Are
Shivani Badgi
Artistic Director of The Gurukul Performing Arts
Shivani Badgi, Director and Principal Guru, has 21 years of dance experience in Kathak, Lavani, and Bollywood. She began her training in dance at the age of five under Guru Padma Khanna, senior disciple of Nataraj Gopi Krishna, at Indianica Academy. She furthered her dance education to learn Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary at Joffrey Ballet School, Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University, and Broadway Dance Center. She has had the opportunity to perform on reputable stages at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center during the 50th Anniversary of Lincoln Center, at Warwick Castle and Island Gardens for the American Alliance of Performing Arts London Invitational, Theatre for the New City in NYC, Philadelphia Museum of Art, NBA Halftime Show, and Times Square at Diwali. Shivani is currently furthering her Kathak education with Guru Syed Sallauddin Pasha, senior disciple of Guru Dr. Maya Rao. She has also spent the past 2 years training in the art of Kuchipudi from Guru Aparna Nadendla, senior disciple of Guru Dr. Shobha Naidu.
Notable Performances Include:
Best Solo Performance award at Tamasha NYC, a South Asian Performing Arts Festival, for her Kathak-Contemporary piece "Suffocation"
Role of Paro in the dance ballet version of Devdas produced by Hypokrit Theatre Company and Junoon Performing Arts
Diwali at Times Square in NYC alongside reputable Bollywood choreographer, Terence Lewis
Lead role of the Mother in Beyond Bollywood, a show choreographed by Rajeev Goswami with music created by the respected composers Salim-Sulaiman, at the APAP Conference
Guest artist for Bollywood Boulevard produced by MELA arts, at Wolf Trap and Longwood Gardens
“Sita’s Ramayan”, a take on Ramleela danced through Sita’s point of view, at Philadelphia Museum of Art and NYC Dance Week at FUNKAR
NBA Halftime Show for the 76ers
United Nations with IndianRaga
“The Indian Cabaret” at Tamasha NYC
Lead Choreographer and Lead Dancer for “Celestia” with Anita Kulkarni and Renu Foundation for the Arts
"Shringarik Lavani” for Erasing Borders Festival for the IAAC
Deblina Mukherjee
Hindustani Classical Vocal Instructor
Deblina Mukherjee has two passions in life: medicine and music. She is a third-year medical student at St. George's University School of Medicine with an interest in pediatrics. She enjoys incorporating her love for working with children with both of her passions in life.
Deblina began her musical journey at the age of five with Guru Suparna Guha with whom she spent three years training in Rabindra Sangeet. At the age of eight, she began training in the Kirana gharana of Hindustani classical music under the tutelage of Guru Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay. She spent eight years training in Hindustani classical music before earning her Sangeet Visharad at the age of sixteen.
Deblina has eleven years of experience teaching Hindustani classical music and throughout the years has had the opportunity to perform at competitions, concerts, cultural showcases, and pujas. She is passionate about bringing Hindustani classical music to the forefront and inspiring the next generation.
Nanda Badgi
Assistant Director and Teacher at Gurukul
Nanda Badgi began her training in Kathak in Gwalior in the Lucknow Gharana tradition known for grace and soft gestures and completed her graduate certification under Prayag Sangeet Samiti. She continued her Kathak training with Guru Dr. Maya Rao in Bangalore in the Lucknow and Jaipur Gharanas and completed a 2 year Choreography certification. Nanda “Aunty” is known at Gurukul for her beautiful costumes, friendly smile, and being a favorite among our little ones!
Dhara Patel
Teacher at Gurukul
Dhara Patel is a classically trained Kathak dancer with experience in Bollywood dance. Dhara has been dancing since she was 6 years old at Indianica Dance Academy under the tutelage of her esteemed guruji Padma Khanna in the Benaras Gharana tradition. Dhara completed 12 years of rigorous Kathak training and she then progressed to continue her love for dance in her college dance team. During this time she led a team of Bollywood/semi-classical dancers in numerous performances across Rutgers University. Dance has been a part of Dhara’s life for so long that she wants to continue to promote her love for this art for more people. She believes that anyone can dance with the right support and she wants to be a positive influence in someone’s dancing journey.
Class Descriptions
Kathak
Our Kathak classes follow the practice and theory curriculum of Benaras Gharana. We do not give any examinations from any Indian universities, but certification is provided through The Gurukul. We work on students having full comprehension of rhythm, understanding of the history of Kathak, advanced compositions from Benaras Gharana Gurus, and a lifelong love for Kathak.
Kathak classes are available for students above the age of 4 and Adults of any level.
Hindustani Classical Vocal
Our Vocal classes in Kirana Gharana offer attention to technique and intricacies of the beauty of Indian music. We do not give any examinations from any Indian universities, but certification is provided through Gurukul.
Vocal classes are available for kids and adults ages 7 and up.
Semi-Classical
Our Semi-Classical classes consist of basic Kathak techniques combined with your favorite Bollywood songs. As you continue through the year you build on different types of footwork, arm movements, and Chakkars (pirouettes). Although practice is encouraged, this class is designed for the person who may have a busy life, but wants a taste of classical dance while moving to beautiful music.
Semi-Classical classes are available for kids above the age of 16 and Adults of any level.
Bollywood
Our Bollywood classes consist of fitness training and the newest upbeat Bollywood music. We start with a warm-up concentrating on building strength and flexibility in your body. We then work on choreography to the most energetic Bollywood songs.
Bollywood classes are available for kids with at least 4 years of classical dance training and Adults of any level.
Privates
If your are looking for a specific type of class, private classes are available.
Private classes are available for any age or level.