Online Kathak Classes — All Three Gharanas, One Trusted Guru
Welcome to Ghungroo Nritya Sangam's Online Kathak Classes — a living, breathing classical dance institute that has spent the last decade shaping dancers, performers and lifelong lovers of Indian art. What began as a beloved offline academy in Lucknow has now opened its doors to the entire world through our live Online Kathak Classes, taught by experienced gurus across all three principal gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras.
We do not believe Kathak belongs to one school alone. Every gharana carries its own beauty — Lucknow its grace and bhava, Jaipur its powerful footwork and chakkars, Banaras its expressive abhinaya and ardhas. In our Online Kathak Classes, you are introduced to all three streams, and as you progress you may specialise in the gharana that calls to your spirit. This is rare. Most institutes teach only one. We teach the complete tradition.
The Three Gharanas of Kathak We Teach
Kathak, one of the eight classical dance forms of India, traces its origins to the storytellers of ancient temples and evolved through royal courts into the refined art it is today. Our gurus carry training from all three principal gharanas, and our Online Kathak Classes reflect this complete inheritance:
- Lucknow Gharana — celebrated for grace, expression (bhava) and the delicate storytelling of nritya.
- Jaipur Gharana — known for crisp, powerful footwork, layakari and dazzling chakkars.
- Banaras Gharana — distinguished by its symmetrical movements, pure abhinaya and natwari bols.
Why Our Online Kathak Classes Work — Beautifully
When students first ask about Online Kathak Classes, a common worry surfaces: "Can a dance form so deeply physical, so dependent on the resonance of ghungroos and the watchful eye of a guru, truly be taught through a screen?" After teaching hundreds of students through our Online Kathak Classes, our answer is an emphatic yes — when it is done right.
Our Online Kathak Classes are live, interactive and small-batch. They are not pre-recorded videos. Every session is conducted in real time, with the guru watching your tatkar, correcting the angle of your wrist, the lift of your chin, the precision of your sam. We use multiple camera angles where required, structured warm-ups, recorded reference material for revision, and a private student community for daily practice support.
Who Can Join Our Online Kathak Classes?
Absolutely anyone. Kathak does not belong to a single age, body type, gender or background. Our Online Kathak Classes welcome:
- Children (ages 5+): Foundational batches focused on posture, discipline, basic taals and the joy of moving to live rhythm.
- Teenagers and college students: Intermediate training with examination preparation (Prarambhik through Visharad) and stage-readiness.
- Working adults: Evening and weekend batches designed around busy schedules, with patient guidance through every step.
- Indian diaspora and international students: Time-zone-friendly Online Kathak Classes in IST, GMT, EST and GST so that distance never becomes a barrier.
- Returning dancers: Many students trained briefly as children and return to Kathak as adults — we welcome you back with open arms.
What You'll Learn in Our Online Kathak Classes
Every class begins where Kathak itself begins: with tatkar, the rhythmic footwork that builds stamina, posture and an intuitive feel for laya. From there, students progress through hand gestures (hastak), eye and neck movements, body postures, intricate spins (chakkar), composition pieces (tukras, parans, tihais), and finally expressive narrative pieces set to thumri, ghazal or bhajan. Our Online Kathak Classes follow a structured syllabus inspired by Prayag Sangit Samiti and Bhatkhande gradings.
Stage Performance — The Ultimate Test of Training
Over 50 stage performances in cultural festivals, civic programmes, weddings and our own annual Sangam Utsav have given our students something no tutorial can: the lived experience of performing before a real audience. Students enrolled in our Online Kathak Classes are not left out — we host quarterly virtual showcases, an annual hybrid recital where overseas students may fly down to India if they wish, and partner with cultural events in students' own cities.
What a Typical Week Looks Like
Most students attend two live Online Kathak Classes per week, each lasting 60 to 75 minutes. Between classes you receive a short practice plan, reference videos, audio for tatkar and bols, and access to a private group where the guru answers questions. Examinations and gradings are optional but strongly encouraged — they give shape and milestones to your journey. Fees are transparent, monthly, and significantly more affordable than equivalent in-person training in metro cities.
The Ghungroo Nritya Sangam Promise
When you enrol in our Online Kathak Classes, you are not buying a course. You are entering a parampara, a living tradition that spans Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras. We promise you:
- Authentic technique from all three gharanas, taught with patience and precision.
- Small batches so every student is seen, corrected and encouraged.
- A complimentary free trial class before you commit.
- Performance opportunities, certifications and a lifelong dance community.
- Respect for your pace — Kathak is not a race; it is a riyaaz.
Whether you tie your first ghungroo this month or step on stage for your first solo next year, our Online Kathak Classes will walk every measure of taal with you. The doors of our studio — and our online classroom — are open. Aaiye, shuru karte hain.
