The East-West School of Dance was founded in 1981 at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY, with the blessings of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and belongs to the International Schools of East-West Unity (Gurukula), Inc. Its objective is to help bring about a deeper understanding and harmony between East and West for cultural enrichment and transformation. It aims to integrate traditional and modern values through education in the universal language of dance, especially Kathak dance. The School is open to students from all cultural backgrounds.

 

Kathak is the classical dance style of North India. The word kathak means "telling a story". In ancient times, the dance was performed in temples. It conveyed through stories of Radha and Krishna the experience of the ecstatic union of the individual with the Absolute. Kathak dance creates a sense of splendor and power through a skillful blending of lasya, graceful gestures and subtle facial expressions, with tandava, a joyful, pure dance of intricate rhythms and dynamic footwork.

 

The East-West School of Dance has been offering regular classes in Kathak dance at Ananda Ashram as well as in the New York/New Jersey area. The School syllabus was introduced and guided by Guru Smt. Maya Rao and Guru Pt. Birju Maharaj from India. Under the direction of Pt. Satya Narayana Charka, the School has presented numerous dance recitals and productions, and also sponsored guest artists for performances and workshops in both Eastern and Western traditions. The East-West School of Dance has become very well known for its dance-drama productions, which try to convey a universal spiritual message through stories from Indian mythology.

 

The East-West School of Dance was founded in 1981 at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY, with the blessings of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and belongs to the International Schools of East-West Unity (Gurukula), Inc. Its objective is to help bring about a deeper understanding and harmony between East and West for cultural enrichment and transformation. It aims to integrate traditional and modern values through education in the universal language of dance, especially Kathak dance. The School is open to students from all cultural backgrounds.

 

Kathak is the classical dance style of North India. The word kathak means "telling a story". In ancient times, the dance was performed in temples. It conveyed through stories of Radha and Krishna the experience of the ecstatic union of the individual with the Absolute. Kathak dance creates a sense of splendor and power through a skillful blending of lasya, graceful gestures and subtle facial expressions, with tandava, a joyful, pure dance of intricate rhythms and dynamic footwork.

 

The East-West School of Dance has been offering regular classes in Kathak dance at Ananda Ashram as well as in the New York/New Jersey area. The School syllabus was introduced and guided by Guru Smt. Maya Rao and Guru Pt. Birju Maharaj from India. Under the direction of Pt. Satya Narayana Charka, the School has presented numerous dance recitals and productions, and also sponsored guest artists for performances and workshops in both Eastern and Western traditions. The East-West School of Dance has become very well known for its dance-drama productions, which try to convey a universal spiritual message through stories from Indian mythology.