#Expressional

#kathak #kumarsharma #kathakrockers #footwork #indiandance

Classical elegance, global stage. Kathak stealing the show at the ICC T20 World Cup. 🇮🇳🌍

"A Sikh man doing Kathak and Bharatnatyam? Why not. I began dancing at 14, despite people questioning my identity, my masculinity, even my place in classical arts. Some days, the doubt felt heavier than my ghungroos. But I never stopped. Today, as a PhD student in the US, I dance to honour the journey. Because art has no gender, no religion—only devotion." ~ Asa Willoughby @asawilloughbydance #KathakDance #IndianClassicalDance #DanceJourney #Bharatnatyam [Kathak Dance, Bharatnatyam, Classical Arts, Men Breaking Stereotypes, Traditional Indian Dance, Inspiration]

It was an incredible experience and a real pleasure to perform at the opening ceremony of the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 and that too with two of the most eminent artists - @drums_sivamani ji and @rishabsmusic ji 🤗❤️🙏🏻 Thank you @sanjayshettyofficial Sir ❤️🙏🏻 and the @sanjuzteam for always believing in me and @kathakrockers ✨ Thank you wifey @khushu712 ❤️ as always for making us shine in your stunning outfits, shoutout to @buyrent.kg ✨ #kathakrockers #kumarsharma #rishabsharma #icct20worldcup2026 #sivamani

Now that’s what we call true #FUSION ❤️ @kathakrockers ✨ #kumarsharma #kathakrockers #indiandance #dance

Chesterfield College of Arts 🎭 UK 🇬🇧 was really amazing ! Thankyou for all the Love ❤️ Thankyou @asianassociation for having us again. @kathakrockers in UK 2025. Kumar Sharma wearing @khushu712 ❤️ @buyrent.kg #kumarsharma #kathakrockers #kathak #dance

Aapko ye pata tha? 😍♥️ Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms of india, known for its beautiful blend of storytelling, rhythm, and graceful movement. the word kathak comes from the sanskrit word “katha,” meaning story, as the earliest kathakars were traveling storytellers who narrated epics like the ramayana and mahabharata through expressive dance. Overtime, kathak evolved from temple traditions to royal courts, especially during the mughal era, where it gained elegance, refined gestures, and musical depth. today, it is recognized for rapid tatkar (footwork), multiple chakkars (spins), detailed abhinaya (expressions), and rhythmic interaction with tabla and pakhawaj. the sound of ghungroos turns every step into music, making rhythm the soul of the performance. what makes kathak truly unique is its balance of nritta (pure dance), nritya (expressional dance), and natya (dramatic storytelling), blending technical mastery with emotional expression. rooted in tradition yet evolving globally, kathak continues to captivate audiences across generations. ✨ did you know about the rich history and technique behind kathak? #kathak #indiandance #dance #reels #explore

“I don’t remember a life without dance in it. I was barely four or five when I danced to Badi Mushkil at a family gathering in Lucknow. There was no rehearsal, no audience in mind – I was simply a child letting the music move me. But my mother noticed something deeper. She saw that this wasn’t just a hobby, and she made a choice that changed my life. Instead of asking me to make it a hobby, she decided to nurture it as a passion. Very early on, I began formal Kathak training under the guru-shishya parampara. My days were built around discipline, riyaaz, and devotion. Dance wasn’t just about movement – it was about values, spirituality, and surrender. My Guru shaped not just my art, but the person I was becoming. My parents never missed a competition. My Mumma always stood beside me, unwavering and that made me very sure of my craft. As a teenager, I received national-level recognition and a scholarship in Kathak. Alongside dance, I pursued Indian classical vocal music, because I wanted my movement to understand sound and emotion more deeply. No one ever told me to choose something ‘safer.’ I was allowed to dream freely. At 20, I moved to Mumbai – alone, curious, and ready to learn. I explored ballet, jazz, contemporary, and western forms, while holding Kathak close to my heart. The city is tough, but I never felt lost – because I came with years of belief backing me. Today, I work as a professional performer and choreographer, collaborate with brands, and continue learning every single day. Yet Kathak remains my home. It keeps me grounded. It reminds me of my guru, my Mumma, my roots. One day, I dream of receiving the Padma Shri – and placing it in my mother’s hands. Because when parents support your passion, when families stand by you, and when a woman grows up feeling safe to dream – her talent doesn’t just survive. It blooms.”

“At 14, I watched the film Umrao Jaan. The grace and strength of the mujra-style dance mesmerised me. I knew it was inspired by Kathak. So, I joined my first class. I was the only boy. I trained for years under my guru in the Lucknow Gharana tradition. At 15, I began Bharatanatyam. I was drawn to the music, the discipline, and the quiet power of South Indian dance. But it wasn’t easy. I was almost always the only male in class. Growing up meant watching the space around me shift, feeling eyes linger a beat too long, sensing the hesitation when I entered a room, belonging less and less to the world I loved most. When I was terrified, my mother came with me to my first class, just to sit there, quietly, so I wouldn’t feel alone. For years after that, she helped me with stage makeup, costumes, and nerves before performances. Long before the world questioned me, she chose to stand beside me. She always used to say, ‘I’m so happy that you’re pursuing your passion.’ By 21, I started wearing a turban. So not only was I singled out as a man, I was now a turbaned dancer. Unheard of. My masculinity was constantly attacked. People made assumptions about my sexuality. I was told, ‘Men can’t have the same grace.’ I was told, ‘Male dancers should be hairless and clean-shaven on stage.’ But I kept going. When I started my dance page, the support was overwhelming. I wanted to show people that Indian classical dance isn’t bound by gender or borders; it’s Sadhana, a spiritual practice for anyone willing to seek it. Moving to the US changed everything. I found a community of young dancers who didn’t just tolerate my presence; they celebrated it. Temple invitations came. Festival bookings followed. For the first time, I wasn’t the outsider looking in. We were artists, bound by the same rhythms our ancestors danced to. That’s when I realised, my dance could do more than tell stories. It could build bridges. Today, I’m doing my PhD, researching the very communities that shaped me. And honestly? I just want to keep going. Keep performing. Keep falling hopelessly in love with this art. Because it saved me once. Maybe it can save someone else too.”

Vande Matram 🇮🇳 A tribute to 150 years of legacy. Grateful to Indian Coast Guard for having us. We were honoured to perform for the bravehearts of our nation ! Kathak Bols: @kumar1sharma Choreography: @kumar1sharma Music Edit, Tabla & Pakhawaj : @jayantpatnaik Outfits: @khushu712 ❤️ @buyrent.kg Video: @brijesh_karma #kathakrockers #kumarsharma #vandematram #kathakfusion #dance

Sneaking in some fun between World Cup rehearsals 🕺⚡ . . . #danceReel # #BehindTheScenes #ICCMensWorldCup #OpeningCeremony RehearsalDiaries

On World Kathak Day, watching a 20-year-old male Kathak dancer from Ludhiana, @taranjotsingh_official reminds us that classical Indian dance is for all children, regardless of gender. ⬇️ A gentle reminder for parents ⬇️ Your child’s gift may not look like what you imagined. It may not match gender rules, career plans, or society’s comfort. But when a child moves with sincerity, discipline, and joy: that is their truth speaking. Don’t ask “What will people say?” Ask “What is my child trying to express?” Happy Kathak Day.♥️ Let children grow into their gifts, not away from them🌿 - Hi, I’m Kritika, a psychologist and family therapist in India with 14+ years of experience. I offer online counselling for individuals, women, parents (early childhood to teens), couples, teens, and families of Indian origin, globally. You can reach me for 1:1 support via: •⁠ ⁠Instagram DM •⁠ ⁠[email protected] •⁠ ⁠Link in bio [#KathakDance #WorldKathakDay #IndianClassicalDance #KathakIndia #ParentingInIndia #SupportingTalents , Is classical dance good for boys in India, Kathak for boys in India, Male Kathak dancer India, Classical Indian dance for children,#familytherapistindia, child psychologist Dwarka Delhi, marriage counsellor Dwarka Delhi]