About us
Archana Nrityalaya, Pune
Archana Patwardhan, a talented kathak dancer, performer and a teacher
Archana is a beautiful and talented kathak dancer, performer and a Guru; an artist who develops her knowledge day by day and proves herself by her tremendous hard-work in dance as well as in social work. Archana struggled very hard and has been meritorious till date. She started performing Kathak at the age of nine, and has been engrossed in the dance form ever since.
Educational Background
As a beautiful young dancer, Archana took the first step towards the million-mile journey to dance from Guru Jafar Mulla. Thereafter, she went on to develop her knowledge under the able teachings of Guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe, a renowned Kathak Maestro in Pune. Aside from her top-notch training, Archana also has a strong educational background with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Nritya Visharad and a Masters degree in Kathak.
Teaching experience
Archana has been teaching for more than 20 years in her own self-run Kathak Institute "Archana Nrityalaya Pune" & has been conducting workshops at cities such as Lonand and Karjat, to spread the knowledge of kathak in rural and under-developed cites in Maharashtra. She also gave a special training to some enthusiastic and talented young kathak dancers in Solapur and Kolhapur to expand their knowledge of the same.
She has recently started giving personal training through technological advancements such as videoconferencing and skype, through which one student has successfully completed her Nrityavisharad.
Gurus
Primary Training: - Guru Jafar Mulla- Advance Training: - Pt. Maneesha Sathe
- Vocal Training: - Guru Manasi Khandekar
Qualifications
- Masters in Performing Arts (University of Pune)
- Bachelor of Commerce (University of Pune)
Being the sculptor of her own sculpture, she established "Archana Nrityalaya Pune" in 1994 in a city of vast and rich cultural heritage, Pune. She gives training from basic to advance stage of Kathak.
Till date 12 disciples have completed their BA Nrityavisharad under the able guidance of Guru Archana.
Specialty of Archana Nrityalaya is that people of various professions such as doctors, engineers, MBA students received training by Archana. Many IT job holders were happy to learn Kathak through Archana Nrityalaya and gave beautiful performances on stage in every annual event of Nrityarchannaa.
Now Archana Nrityalaya looks forward to celebrating its Silver Jubilee in the year 2019.
Performances
She is a wanderer of reality and shapes her thoughts through visionary beliefs and real life stories, as she has in these performances.
Performances at Corporate Events
Archana has performed on the inauguration ceremonies of various corporate companies such as JBT, BWF. Archana also takes inspirations from the 20th century and she has previously choreographed some fusions of Vikram Ghosh, the Maestro Taufiq Qureshi's albums.
Archana has performed not only at various states and cities in India but also abroad, like in Japan, Bangkok and Singapore.
Social Work
Even though being a professional Kathak dancer, Archana is proudly the only Kathak dancer in Pune who also runs her own NGO, dedicated to helping heart, kidney and cancer patients since 2004. Her NGO ‘Archana Nrityalaya and Vaidyakiya Pratishthan Pune’ or ANVPP is a medical foundation associated with her Nrityalaya that lends a helping hand to patients with their medical expenses. She gives a help every year in theannual show of her institute. She collects donations and gives benefit of income tax 80G certificate for 50% off tax exemption to those who donate to the NGO.
Awards and laurels
A Gold Medalist in solo performer and also in Best Choreography Gold Medalist at international Level. A silver and bronze medalist in best choreography in kathak at International level. National Level First Winner at Delhi, GOA Competitions Honored by the award “Gaurav Punyacha” from Zee Marathi for her extraordinary social work.
Presently Working as
Owner and director of Archana Nrityalaya Pune who is now on its way to complete 23 successful years with 3 branches in Pune. President of her own NGO Archana Nrityalaya & Vaidyakiya Pratishthan Pune who has completed its 14 successful years.