The strength of any classical art form lies in the unbroken transmission of knowledge from guru to shishya. At Nrutya Bharati Performing Arts Center, our teaching draws from the wellspring of two of Kathak's most distinguished traditions: the Jaipur Gharana and the Lucknow Gharana.
The Jaipur Gharana is celebrated for its emphasis on pure dance (nritta), intricate footwork, dynamic energy, and mathematical precision in rhythm. Known for powerful tatkar, complex layakari, and rapid spins (chakkars), the Jaipur style demands both physical rigor and intellectual understanding of tala structures.
This gharana places particular emphasis on the geometric and spatial aspects of dance—the dancer's relationship to the stage, the visual architecture of movement, and the interplay between stillness and explosive energy. Students trained in the Jaipur tradition develop exceptional control, clarity, and rhythmic sophistication.
The Lucknow Gharana contributes a complementary dimension to our pedagogy—an emphasis on grace, subtlety, and expressive refinement. Known for its sophisticated abhinaya (expressive storytelling), elegant gestures, and lyrical quality, the Lucknow tradition enriches our approach to narrative and emotional communication.
This gharana's aesthetic sensibility—characterized by nazakat (delicacy) and tehzeeb (refinement)—informs our teaching of gesture vocabulary, facial expression, and the nuanced portrayal of bhava (emotion). The Lucknow influence ensures that technical mastery serves expressive depth.
The artistic foundation of NBPAC flows directly through Guru Smt. Jayashree Tambe, a distinguished exponent and teacher of Kathak whose training encompasses the Jaipur Gharana's technical rigor. Under her guidance, our founder Ms. Priya Tiwari received intensive training in Indore, cultivating not only technical excellence but a deep understanding of the pedagogical tradition itself.
Guru Jayashree Tambe's teaching method emphasizes the inseparability of technique and artistry. Students learn that every movement carries meaning, that rhythm is a language, and that precision is the foundation upon which expression is built. This philosophy—that mastery of grammar enables freedom of voice—defines our approach at NBPAC.
The guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition) is the living heart of Indian classical arts. This is not merely a pedagogical method but a holistic relationship in which the guru transmits not only technique but artistic sensibility, cultural values, and spiritual discipline.
Knowledge passes through direct observation, imitation, and correction
Compositions, theory, and aesthetics are learned through listening and repetition
Mastery unfolds gradually through sustained practice over years
The guru tailors instruction to each student's capacity and temperament
Students develop discipline, humility, and respect for the tradition
At NBPAC, we honor this tradition while adapting it to the contemporary American context. We maintain the rigor and personalization of guru-shishya teaching while ensuring accessibility for students who may be balancing dance with school, work, and family commitments.
Nrutya Bharati Performing Arts Center is the US extension of Nrutya Bharati, Indore, an institution established in 1968 with a mission to preserve, promote, and innovate within the Kathak tradition. For nearly six decades, Nrutya Bharati has trained generations of dancers, contributing significantly to the cultural life of Madhya Pradesh and beyond.
This institutional foundation ensures that NBPAC students are not learning in isolation but connecting to a broader community of practitioners, a proven curriculum, and a pedagogical lineage that has successfully transmitted Kathak across decades.
Students pursuing formal certification at NBPAC prepare for examinations conducted by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (GMM), Mumbai—one of India's oldest and most respected institutions for music and dance education, established in 1901.
GMM's examination system (Praveshika, Madhyama, Visharad) provides a structured pathway for students to demonstrate mastery, receive formal credentials recognized throughout India, and connect their learning to a century-old tradition of arts education. This certification carries weight for students considering advanced study, teaching, or professional performance.
Lineage is not a static inheritance but a living conversation across generations. At NBPAC, we receive the tradition with reverence, practice it with discipline, and pass it forward with adaptability—ensuring that Kathak continues to speak meaningfully to each new generation while maintaining its essential character and depth.
Connect to centuries of tradition through authentic training and dedicated guidance.