History
A child prodigy trained from the age of nine, Pandit Das was schooled in the two major kathak traditions, Lucknow and Jaipur. Pandit Das was brought to the United States in 1970 on a Whitney Fellowship to teach kathak at the University of Maryland. In 1971, renowned Indian classical musician Ustad Ali Akbar Khan invited him to establish a dance program at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. Founded by the late, legendary kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das, and succeeded by disciples Seibi Lee, Rachna Nivas and Rina Mehta, the Chhandam School of Kathak has been a pioneer of excellence in the teaching and advancement of kathak dance in the Bay Area and beyond since 1980. More information at www.kathak.org. Questions? Email us at chhandam@kathak.org.
Specialties
The Leela Academy is an internationally renowned nonprofit arts organization that is dedicated to the education, promotion, and preservation of Kathak dance and classical Indian art and culture.