BiographyAnjali Nath is one of the most dynamic artists of a new generation of Kathak soloists. Known for her swift chakkars (spins), crisp footwork and delicate abhinaya, Anjali's solo performances are rooted deeply in the kathak tradition, dazzling to watch, and deeply moving. Anjali carries forward a significant legacy of dedication to high artistry, education and training of the next generation of kathak artists and students, and promotion and evolution of the vast and rich art of kathak dance through performance and teaching.
Anjali is a disciple of renowned Kathak maestro, the late Pandit Chitresh Das, and has been dancing with the Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC), based in the San Francisco Bay Area, since 2003. Anjali spent 10 years training directly under the guidance of her Guruji in California, teaching and directing at the Chhandam School and performing in various community arts education programs, several award-winning company productions and has toured extensively with the company throughout the US and India at prestigious venues and cities such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Roy and Edna Disney Cal/Arts Theater in Los Angeles, Kohler Arts Center, National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai, Birla Sabhagar in Kolkata, Bangalore Club, at the Shaniwar Wada Festival of Pune, and several International Kathak Festivals. In addition to solo performances, most recently, Anjali has performed in the critically acclaimed CDDC performances including "Shiva," Pt. Das' last work, "Shabd," featuring Pt. Das' innovative technique of Kathak Yoga, and played the lead as Sita in "Sita Haran" and "Ramayana." In 1997, Anjali was introduced to the rich and vast world of Kathak dance by Gretchen Hayden, senior disciple of Pandit Das and Artistic Director of Chhandika, while at Tufts University. Since returning to Boston in 2013, Anjali has served as a senior artist and instructor for Chhandika, based in the Boston area and serving greater New England. Anjali serves as co-director of the Chhandika Youth Ensemble. Anjali plays a substantial role in building bridges within and between communities as a teacher, choreographer, and ambassador for the art. In 2013, Anjali also joined the artist roster of the Young Audiences of Massachusetts performing extensively throughout MA for school children and engaging these young audiences in the vast world of Kathak dance. Anjali holds a B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University and a Masters in Public Health from Boston University. She has passionately pursued her career in Kathak and public health simultaneously for 19 years working with communities and engaging youth in leadership and activities to improve self-esteem and overall health and well-being. Anjali believes in the art as a vehicle for service to society and a path to self-awareness available to everyone. As an artist and teacher Anjali strives to highlight the relevance, universality, and overall benefits of the multi-faceted art of Kathak for everyone, regardless of age, gender or culture. Activities & Acknowledgements - Chhandika, Senior Artist, Instructor Chhandika Youth Ensemble - Young Audiences of Massachusetts Artist (2013-present) · Nominee, Isadora Duncan Dance Awards, 2009 – for Shabd, choreographed by Pandit Chitresh Das · Official Voting Member, San Francisco Arts Task Force (2007 to Present) · Artist in Residence, Young Audiences of CA, Markham Elementary School in Hayward, CA (Spring 2007) Dedication:
The torch I get to bear carries embers from so many I have truly been so blessed to be loved, taught, guided, and supported, and challenged by. From my parents, Vikram and Serita Nath, and family who have supported my love of dance from the very beginning, taking me to ballet classes and attending recitals from age 4 to 18, then college dance performances of all kinds, to kathak classes I've taken and taught and performances, til this day. From Gretchenji, who brought this life path before me with her generosity and unmatched grace and patience and persistent encouragement. From Pandit Chitresh Das, whom I had the honor to know, love, and acknowledge as my Guruji. Your unending dedication to your vision and belief in all of us was so large it could not be realized in one lifetime. To all of my Guru sisters and Guru elders who have been part of this unique, blessed, sometimes insane journey - we have grown together and have much growing to still do. Thank you for the love and lessons. To the one who has kept me going all of these years - Shefali Jain. You are an inspiration and your pure love, patience, leadership, wisdom, and partnership (and a million other adjectives) are why I stand where I do today. You are a blessing to me, to Guruji's vision, and to this art. |
Gretchen Hayden, Founder and Artistic Director, Chhandika Institute of Kathak Dance. The source of my journey in kathak.
With Chhandika artists, Meenakshi Verma Agrawal, Gretchen Hayden, Anjali Nath, Shefali Jain.
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