ROOTED by the UNIVERSE
We are shaped by love, strengthened by community, and connected through the universal bonds that define us. (Click on images for the videos)
Guru Shishya
This piece highlights the long standing teacher-pupil relationship, showing the classroom basics of taatkar (footwork), hasthakas (arm movements), and chakras (spins) with live instruments before transitioning to Alisha’s first performance with her Guru.
Vishnu Stoti
This piece highlights Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu triumvirate, known for his strength, charm, and occasional vanity. It is performed in the rare pattern of Dhamaar Taal (a 14-beat cycle) and is considered one of the most difficult technical pieces in Kathak. Alisha performs alongside her Kathak classmates.
Chaaturaang
This dance highlights the many artistic talents of Lord Krishna—his flute, drumming, and graceful movement—while honoring his role as the god of protection and love. Through expressive choreography and advanced tukras, the piece conveys deep devotion and admiration for Krishna.
Shiva
This powerful Shiva Tandav showcases the fierce and divine energy of Lord Shiva, the God of Dance and Destruction, through intricate Kathak rhythms and vivid storytelling. The piece captures Shiva’s many forms, from serene meditation to dynamic dance. Composed by Guru Divyang Vakil.
ROOTED by IDENTITY
Our experiences and our journey drive our roots deeper, building inner strength and forging a powerful path toward self-discovery and identity.
(click pictures for video)
Mujra
Salaam e Ishq, Dil Ka Kya Kare Saheb, Kaahe Chhed
This piece explores the evolution of Kathak during the Mughal era, highlighting Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s influence in shaping the Lucknow gharana, where Hindu storytelling merged with intricate footwork and poetic Muslim traditions. This performance reflects on themes of love, longing, and playful devotion, honoring both cultural history and artistic expression.
Jugalbandi
Morni Banke, Sauda Khara Khara
This next piece is a Jugalbandi, meaning “entwined twins,” showcasing a dynamic duet between two dance styles. Alisha joins her brother, a passionate Bhangra dancer, in a joyful collaboration that blends Kathak tradition with vibrant Punjabi energy—celebrating both sibling bond and artistic growth.
Woman Empowerment
Alisha’s journey in dance reflects the foundation of her life, nurtured by culture, tradition, community, family, and the mentors who have guided her with wisdom and love. Inspired especially by her grandmothers, mother, and Sheila Ji, she has grown into a strong, kind, and grounded young woman.
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For her Raangmanch Pravesh, Alisha chose to conclude with a contemporary piece centered on female strength and empowerment. Under Sheila Ji’s guidance, she embraced the opportunity to create something personal and meaningful, honoring the feminine energy that has shaped and inspired her.
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The work begins with a Telugu composition, a tribute to her cultural heritage, then moves into the celestial grace of a queen, followed by a hymn to the goddess Durga—an invocation of courage, resilience, and protection. It culminates in the Tarana, a composition unique to Kathak that emphasizes rhythm, improvisation, and artistic freedom. Often compared to jazz scat singing, the Tarana uses nonsensical syllables to carry melody and pace. Traditionally reserved for advanced dancers, it is performed toward the end of training as a symbol of both mastery and liberation.
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Alisha selected this particular Tarana, choreographed by Sheila Ji, because it reflects the essence of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, music, and the arts. Independent and self-motivated, Saraswati embodies inner strength and intellectual freedom, serving as a fitting inspiration for the conclusion of this journey.
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It is only natural that Alisha brings her Raangmanch Pravesh to a close by embodying this powerful symbol of feminine individuality and creative expression, weaving together her heritage, her mentors’ guidance, and her own evolving voice as an artist.