HEARTBEAT OF RAJASTHAN FESTIVAL
Dance & Music Festival in Pushkar, Rajasthan
Journey into the heartbeat Rajasthan through it’s music and dance!
MARCH 4 – 8, 2025
**Detailed Programing Announced here by February**
2024 Festival Lineup
MASTER DANCE / MUSIC CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
KATHAK TECHNIQUE & CHOREOGRAPHY – Meha Jha, Jaipur
KALBELIYA DANCE & SONGS – Aasha Sapera, Jodhpur
WORKSHOPS WITH GUEST TEACHERS – Sufi, Chedi, Ghoomar dances of Rajasthan
ONLINE CONFERENCE
Rajasthani Dance Narratives Past & Present – Contexts of Women in the Arts of Rajasthan
PERFORMANCES
*Stage performance with Āsha Sapera & Party, Meha Jha – Classical Kathak Dance, Rajasthani Music, Guest Artists & Children’s Performances
CHILDREN’S DANCE EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Daily Dance Workshops for underprivileged children in local schools! (Supported by YOUR registrations!)
HEARTBEAT OF RAJASTHAN
The heartbeat – a natural musical impulse that connects all mankind. Indian dances anchor themselves in the tala (rhythm) – from the hypnotic simplicity of the Rajasthani drums, to the complex footwork patterns elaborated in classical Kathak dance, you will find the dancer in soulful dialogue with the beat.
This year we are bringing together some of the great women dancers and singers of Rajasthan to present immersive workshops in classical Kathak (technique & choreography), innovative contemporary Rajasthani dance styles and showcase the contrasting variety of dancers within the Kalbeliya community.
WHO IS THIS FESTIVAL FOR…
This 5 day festival is for dance practitioners of any background or experience level and those wanting a genuine cultural immersion in the wide scope of dance in Rajasthan. Our days will be filled with 4-5 Master Classes with various teachers in both dance and music. Three performances will be featured in this festival showcasing vocal and musical maestros and our master dance teachers. Heartbeat of Rajasthan festival is also an initiative to offer dance and music training to Kalbeliya youth during the week with community workshops and children’s performances.
CLASSES & PERFORMANCES AT OLD RANGJI TEMPLE…
Shakti School of Dance, located in the historical Old Rangji Temple has been an international hub for learning art and culture through the experience of the dancing body since 2005. We welcome you to come and immerse in the magic and feel the Heartbeat of Rajasthan!
2024 SCHEDULE
2024 ARTISTS
ĀSHA SAPERA
Currently one of most sought after women performers in Rajasthan, Āsha has stunned audiences throughout the world with her dynamic dance. Her music albums and singles have made her a Marwari celebrity. Āsha’s haunting voice celebrates the strength and history of the Kalbeliya women. She will be teaching a unique vision of dance informed by her investment in her people’s music. Her dance tells stories and draws out nuance in Kalbelia dance like few others ever have.
Join Āsha for master classes in Kalbeliya dance and songs, as well as a special performance of traditional music and dance of her community rarely presented in public.
MEHA JHA
Meha believes kathak to be a poetry of mind and body, a rhythmic expression of her devotion and food for soul. It is not just a dance form for her, it’s her way of living life deeply immersed in art. As a disciple of renowned kathak exponent Guru Rani Khanam, Meha readily acknowledges the huge debt that she owes her guru. She gracefully leaped from an acclaimed dancer to a powerhouse celebrating the heritage of kathak with her venture, Mudra Academy of Performing Arts, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She is committed to impart quality training in kathak under the traditional Guru–Shishya Parampara.
Meha will be teaching masterclasses in Kathak Technique & Composition and sharing a special performance.
VARIOUS GUEST TEACHERS
The Heartbeat of Rajasthan Festival schedule will feature Rajasthani Folk Dance classes with various teachers showing diverse interpretations of regional dance styles.
GUEST SPEAKERS – ONLINE CONFERENCE
The festival is proud to present 2 online conferences with scholars, film makers and practitioners speaking about – ‘Rajasthani Dance Narratives Past & Present: Contexts of Women in the Arts of Rajasthan’.
DANCE WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
*LIVE* PARTICIPATION
Live workshop with
*Online Conference* participation
Only 19 spots available! This will sell out, pre-book you place in 5 days of workshops.
*ONLINE* PARTICIPATION
*online* workshop with
*Online Conference* participation:
(class recordings available for 1 week)
For Google Pay Registration or any issues with registration, please contact our admin: shaktischoolofdance@gmail.com
*ONLINE* CONFERENCE
RAJASTHANi dance narratives past & present
Presentations and discussions by Scholars, Film-makers & Practitioners
Tuesday, March 5 & Thursday March 7, 2024
7-9pm IST
(recording available for 1 week)
