about us
Nataka Dance Company in Collaboration with SKILS (Pune, India)
NATAKA DANCE COMPANY
Nataka Dance Company was founded in 2010 by Nuka Rajarathnam in Johannesburg. Since its inception, NDC has been dedicated to teaching Kathak Fusion, Bollywood, and Indian Folk Dance, spreading the rich cultural heritage of Indian Dance in South Africa.
Under the guidance of her Guru and mother, Padhmavathee (Prema) Nydoo, Nuka was trained in the classical art of Kathak, with her mom being a disciple of the legendary Gopi Krishna Ji of the Benaras Gharana.
The company has worked with diverse groups, fostering a love for dance across various age groups and skill levels.
Currently, Nataka Dance Company has shifted its focus to Classical Kathak for young adults & adults, offering in-depth training to those seeking to explore this traditional art form.
Nuka has the strong belief that dance is a continuous learning process where staying open to improving technique and the full understanding of theory is endless. She is presently continuing her Kathak education with SKILS.
The company continues to inspire and nurture dancers with a newly established collaboration with Shruti Patki founder of SKILS (Pune, India) solidifying an ongoing commitment to preserving the essence of Kathak in Johannesburg, South Africa.
SKILS (Pune, India)
Shruti is a dedicated disciple of Pandit Rajendra Gangani ji, a leading figure of the Jaipur gharana. She began her Kathak journey at the age of 7 in 1997, captivated by its beauty and grace.
Currently, Shruti is training with Guru Swati Sinha at an advanced level. Throughout her training, she was mentored by renowned Gurus, including Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe and Guru Shambhavi Dandekar, specializing in the Benaras and Lucknow gharanas. Shruti earned Nritya Visharad (2009) and Nritya Alankar (2012) from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, achieving an All India Rank 1. She also holds a Master’s in Performing Arts from Lalit Kala Kendra, Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune), where she received the Pandita Rohini Bhate Gold Medal in 2014.
She has performed on prestigious stages across India and received multiple accolades, including the Kathak Navonmesh Nritya Sadhana Puraskar in Pune (2019).