Virsa Institute

Kathak dancer Richa Jain started her formal training in Kathak at the age of three under the guidance of her parents, Kathak exponents Late Guru Shri Ravi Jain (Disciple of Padmashree Shambhu Maharaj, Lucknow gharana and Alaknanda Devi of Benaras gharana) and Guru Smt. Nalini Malhotra Jain (Disciple of Pt. Sunder Prasad ji and Pt. Kundan Lal Gangani, Jaipur Gharana). Because of her extensive training under her parents, Richa's Kathak performances are a blend of the Lucknow, Jaipur and Benaras gharanas (Styles) of Kathak. She also received her initial vocal music training from Shri Ajit Kumar Mishra and later was groomed in Hindustani classical vocal music under the guidance of renowned guru and exponent, Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Pt. A. Maheshwar Rao of the Gwalior Gharana. Because of her training in Kathak and Hindustani classical vocal music, Richa has the unique ability of dancing and singing simultaneously. She is making a humble effort to bring back the Katha Vachan parampara from where Kathak originated. Besides being an A grade performing artist of National Television of India (Doordarshan- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), Richa is an empanelled artist of the I.C.C.R, Ministry of External Affairs and is also empanelled with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Richa has given numerous performances in India and abroad, both on stage and television, notable amongst which are Senegal, Africa under Ministry of Culture, University of Ukraine Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine Music Academy at Kyiv Ukraine, University of Chicago, National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Sringeri Foundation, Toronto and Sudbury (Canada). She has performed on some of the most prestigious stages of India such as the Khajuraho Festival and Maharana Kumbha, Udaipur. She has also been awarded the title of Shringar Mani by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai in 2009. She has worked with the Directorate of Education for spreading awareness of classical dances among young students. She has been the jury member of the esteemed Delhi University. She has also worked as a preview expert in the field of classical music and dance with the National television of India.