Shalini Garg

shalini garg

Shalini Garg is the Founder-Director of Sunatya Academy of Performing Arts, a multidisciplinary platform established in 2014 for the exploration and practice of different kinds of performing arts, mostly based in dance and music.  She is a renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Bangalore with an experience of 25 years.  She graduated with great laurels from Panjab University with a MA in Kathak in 2005.  She then pursued her PG Diploma in Kathak and Choreography at Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography in 2007.  Ever since, she has been exploring, learning and teaching the art of Kathak in collaboration with various institutes, artists and now independently.

In the course of her tryst with Kathak so far, she has had the fortune of training under exemplary masters like Guru Pt. Rajendra Gangani ji of Jaipur Gharana, Guru Shrimati Kumudini Lakhiya ji, Guru Pt Birju Maharaj ji, Guru Mamta Maharaji ji and Guru Vaishali Trivedi ji.  Late Guru Dr. Maya Rao has also been a very strong influential force in her choreographic training over the years.

She has also been blessed with the constant guidance of Guru Pt. Rajendra Gangani ji of Jaipur Gharana and Guru Smt. Durga Arya Ji of the Lucknow Gharana.

Shalini also took the opportunity of pursuing an Advanced Diploma in the Aprachalit Ang of Kathak under the scholarly guidance of Dr. Puru Dadheech ji and Dr. Vibha Dadheech ji in 2021.

As a part of exploration of her discipline, she has even trained in dance forms like Chhau and Oddissi for a little while. During her foundation years, she worked and performed with Nritarutya, an Indian Contemporary Dance Company for 3 years, whereby her contemporary training of the body was instilled.

All through these varied opportunities and experiences, Shalini has always worked on nurturing and strengthening her craft in Kathak and has performed and choreographed multiple performances across scales, occasions and venues in Bangalore in the past decade.

She also organizes an annual dance show, NIRMITI where the students of Sunatya get an opportunity to share their learnings on stage with an eager audience every year. Her work has been recognized, appreciated and encouraged by her students, peers, teachers, critics and dance gurus alike.