Anjana Jha Kathak Dancer Profile

Talented Anjana Jha started learning the nuances of Kathak under the guidance of Guru Shri Sukh Dev Singh Kushwah at a tender age of 8.

Later she was admitted in the prestigious Kathak Kendra, National Institute of Kathak Dance, New Delhi, where she received scholarship for five consecutive years from the Ministry of Culture in India. Anjana started advanced training in Kathak under the guidance of world-renowned Kathak Maestro Pt. Rajendra Gangani of the Jaipur Gharana. She imbibed the best from her guru and blossomed into an artist of fine calibre.

After receiving a Post Graduate Diploma in Kathak Dance with Honours she furthered her studies and received a PhD in Kathak Dance from Indra Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh University in Chhattisgarh, India. During her doctorate studies she also served as an examiner in the University Examination Board.

Anjana Jha’ style of artistic expression is characterised by subtle abhinaya, fast and clear footwork and spins, clear movements, grace and flawless beauty of Kathak dance. Her solo performances fill the atmosphere with grace and her expressions and gestures create an emotion of great beauty, purity and sublimity in the audience. Her approach to dance is to fully embody the beauty of rhythm and grace in Kathak classical dance. Her skills of Kathak language are exceptional and have a touch of perfection. These are some of the fine hallmarks of her Kathak performance and have established her as a dedicated professional artist with national and international exposure.

As a solo and leading group Kathak dancer and choreographer, Anjana has performed on many prestigious platforms in India, Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, Dubai, Qatar, Doha, Bahrain, Oman, Muscat, Kuwait, Iceland, Norway, and Thailand. This has gained her international recognition as a renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer.

She was the first Kathak teacher and performer in the history of Thailand, through the Indian Cultural Center of Indian Embassy in Bangkok and was an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relation’s (ICCR) reference panel of artists.

In 2005, she represented India as a Kathak dancer during the Tour to Iceland led by the President of India, Honourable A.P.J Abdul Kalam.

Dr. Anjana is A-Graded Artist of the Delhi Doordarshan national TV channel in India with her programs telecast in Delhi, Gwalior, and Kerala.

Her repertoire includes performances of Kathak dance in Hindustani Classical Music as well as in Carnatic Classical Music. She has also worked with renowned South Indian actors and actresses and musicians. In addition to her outstanding Kathak performance, Anjana excels in classical and semi-classical vocal music, Hindustani musical instrument pakhawaj, and yoga.