About
Biography
Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh began her Kathak journey at the age of ten when Smt. Asha Tai Joglekar accepted her as a disciple. Her early years were shaped by sustained riyaz and a structured grounding in technique, rhythm, and expressive repertoire. She later trained under Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj, gaining exposure to the nuances of the Lucknow gharana, and received specialized coaching in taal and laya from Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. These influences formed the core of her artistic and pedagogic approach.
In 2000, she completed Visharad Purna (Bachelor’s) in Kathak under Guru Asha Tai, presenting Taal Dhamaar (14 beats), Dhamaar Tatkaar, and a Thumri taught by Pandit Birju Maharaj, depicting Radha’s expressions. In 2003, she earned Alankar (Master’s), presenting Taal Teentaal (16 beats), advanced Tatkaar with Ladi, and a concluding Thumri portraying contrasting emotional states of two women. To complement her dance education, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Indian philosophy from Mumbai University.
Her professional journey as a teacher began in 1999 at Archana Nrityalaya, India, where she taught Kathak from beginner to advanced levels and assisted in choreography. She later served as vice principal at Archana Arts, USA (2009–2014), followed by director of Nrityanjali Arts, New Jersey (2015–2020). Since 2021, she has been the founder and artistic director of Pallavi Kathak (Nrityavali Gurukul), which follows a structured curriculum for students of all ages. The Gurukul enables students to earn Visharad Purna (Diploma) and Alankar (Advanced Diploma) in Kathak from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University School of Performing Arts (BVDUSPA). She has been a certified New Jersey center in charge and examiner for BVDUSPA since 2015.
In 2023, she founded The Mahadeo Degwekar Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving, preserving, and promoting classical arts and artists. Since 2020, she has also served as Chief Correspondent (USA) for The Dance India web portal, reporting on artists, events, and developments in the performing arts.
As a performer, her work spans over two decades across India and the United States. She has appeared at venues and platforms including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the MET Museum (New York), Sangeet Natak Akademi (Delhi), Kamani Auditorium (Delhi), NCPA (Mumbai), the New York Kathak Festival, Navatman, Sadhana Festival, and multiple academic and cultural institutions. Her repertoire includes traditional Kathak technique, rhythmic presentations, and expressive compositions rooted in Thumri and narrative forms.
Her career also encompasses choreography for solo and group works, examination and curriculum design, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and festival direction. She has been associated with numerous national and international festivals, online initiatives during the pandemic, and collaborative projects across disciplines. Alongside performance, she has consistently contributed to arts education, mentorship, and documentation, positioning her work at the intersection of practice, pedagogy, and cultural advocacy within the Kathak tradition.