SARITA KALELE- The Journey Of Grace and Excellence in Kathak

Sarita Kalele is one of India’s most accomplished Kathak dancers. Her journey began at a young age, fueled by a deep passion for the classical dance form. She trained under the renowned Pandita Uma Dogra Ji of the Jaipur Gharana, becoming her Ganda Bandh Shishya—a mark of high honor in the world of classical dance. Sarita holds a Nritya Alankar from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and a postgraduate degree from Mumbai University. Her artistic career took her to the United Kingdom, where she performed at major festivals such as the Festival of Lights in Sunderland, the Kathak Dance Festival in London, and the Newcastle Winter Carnival. She also conducted workshops in schools and universities, promoting Indian classical dance on an international stage. Committed to passing on the rich tradition of Kathak, Sarita established a dance school in Thane, training young talents. She also founded the Aamad Society for Performing Arts and launched the NrityaSari festival to celebrate classical dance. Recognition and Achievements: Sarita’s contributions have earned her several accolades. She was honored with the Singar Mani award by Sur Singar Samsad and the Nritya Nipun award by Nalanda Dance & Research Centre. Recently, she received the Shreshthatm Medhavi Nrityangana Puraskar 2025 from Padmashree Anup Jalota Ji’s Jalota Welfare Foundation. Notable Performances: Sarita has graced several prestigious stages in India and abroad. Some of her significant solo performances include Festival of Lights, Sunderland, UK; NAAD Dance Festival, London, UK; Newcastle Winter Carnival, UK; India Cultural Meet, Switzerland; Kal-Ke-Kalakar Sammelan, Mumbai; Nritya Pratibha, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Jodhpur; Sare Jahaan Se Achcha Festival, New Delhi; and Gati Gayand, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Mumbai. She has also performed alongside her guru, Pandita Uma Dogra Ji, at prestigious events such as Kala Ghoda Festival, Mumbai; Konark Festival, Odisha; Khajuraho Festival, Madhya Pradesh; Hampi Festival, Karnataka; Kumbh Mela, Ujjain; Swami Haridas Samaroh, Vrindavan; and ICCR Seychelles Tour, representing India on Independence Day. Academic and Teaching Excellence: Sarita holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Mumbai University and a Nritya Alankar in Kathak. Her teaching journey includes two years at Gateshead College and Dance City’s BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in the UK. A Torchbearer of Kathak: Sarita Kalele embodies dedication and excellence in Kathak. Whether performing on global stages or mentoring students in Thane, she continues to be a proud ambassador of Indian classical dance. Through her contributions to Aamad Society for Performing Arts, she remains a beacon of inspiration, preserving and promoting Kathak for future generations.