About Maneesha Nrityalaya
Established in 1975 by Guru Maneesha Pta. Maneesha Sathe, Maneesha Nrityalaya is one of the leading institutes for Kathak today. Maneesha Nrityalaya has been a turning point for the dance community in Pune in many ways. All the way back in the mid 70s, the scene of classical dance in Pune was colourful, nonetheless there weren’t enough ventures for dancers honing their craft locally. Recognising this and also with the aim of training students of Kathak through the Guru-Shishya Tradition, Maneesha Nrityalaya was established.
The institute has a rich legacy of perseverance, dedication and talent. Senior as well as Junior students have received scholarships offered by both CCRT and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of India. Along with this, the students have also made the institute and Tai proud by securing Gold Medals in Bachelors and Masters degrees in Kathak from Savitribai Phule Pune University’s Lalit Kala Kendra & Bharati Vidyapeeth’s School of Performing Arts.
Today, Maneesha Nrityalaya offers training for Certificate and Diploma courses under Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. The staff teachers at Maneesha Nrityalaya have all completed their Visharad/Alankar in Kathak along with Masters in Kathak. Our institute has trained and shaped countless dancers and many of them have chosen dance as their career path. Students who choose Kathak as a profession, are specially trained through Riyaz sessions conducted at Guru Maneesha Sathe’s Dance studio located in her residence. After rigorous learning and training for some years, they get the opportunity to become a part of the performing unit.
Under the guidance of our Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe, the performing unit of Maneesha Nrityalaya performs at various dance and art festivals throughout India, which allows students to gain the experience of performing on stage. From a young age, the students are given a wide platform by encouraging them to participate in different competitions, for them to gain confidence for performing Solo. Senior disciples of Guru Maneesha Sathe further grow by establishing their own institutes and continue to spread her legacy.
Maneesha Nrityalaya's Performing Troupes
Maneesha Tai’s collaboration with Japanese musician and Taiko player Mr. Yasuhito Takimoto has been legendary and has left the audiences in awe for over 30 years. This collaboration continues to be a blessing for the students of Maneesha Nrityalaya. The senior disciples of Guru Maneesha Sathe Tai have also received special training in playing the Taiko drums!
One of Tai’s first few initiatives has been the ticketed annual dance showcase. A truly groundbreaking decision for Kathak as a whole in our city. Ticketed classical dance shows were not a common practice back in the day, but Tai’s decision to present her students of all levels in a ‘ticketed’ annual showcase was a bold and daring move. This initiative has been pioneering in spreading awareness about the effort and dedication that dancers put into making a single program successful. As quoted in the Attendance dance magazine’s 2024 Pune issue, “Tai’s aim was to present dance as a professionally created endeavour. This initiative not only helped the audience understand the value of classical dance but also fostered a greater appreciation for its sanctity and artistry.”
Another unique feature about this program has been that every year, every batch of the institute performs a completely new piece! A solid rule set in the 70s is followed to this day. This resolution put forth by Tai was with the aim to give the dancers of the institute an opportunity to explore, invent and learn. And of course this set intention gives the audience something new to watch year after year.
Maneesha Tai makes it a point to help and donate towards a social cause every year through this annual event. Be it the Bhopal tragedy, or an educational cause, or donations towards the publication of books, Maneesha Tai has been contributing her share for the past 50 years. Along with this, Freeship is awarded to financially weaker students i.e. they are given the opportunity to learn at our Institute, without paying any fees. Not only this, other students from our class also volunteer to pay for their costume charges or examination charges whenever necessary. The parents of our students are also involved with us for every event in huge numbers and are ready to volunteer for any kind of help. Such is the strong community Guru Maneesha Sathe Tai has built and shaped!
Maneesha Tai is known to be a highly sympathetic and generous teacher. Her perseverance and dedication to the art is reflected in the success in this field, and her growing family of disciples all over the globe. She has been instrumental in keeping our ancient heritage alive and inspiring several generations to take forward this legacy of classical art. Tai always says, “I don’t mind if you don’t become a good Kathak dancer, but you should most definitely become a good person and a good human being first.” Under such a wise and selfless Guru’s watchful eye, every student of Maneesha Nrityalaya stands out from the crowd not only as a quality Kathak dancer but also as a kind, efficient and good human being. It is widely said that under Maneesha Tai you not only learn good Kathak, but also good manners and valuable life lessons. An institute that began with just 3 students in 1975 has today shaped more than thousands of dancers!
7
Started with 7 students.
2839
Students have studied till date.
250
Current students practising
35
Disciples have their own classes.
15
Disciples awarded with CCRT scholarship.
10
Empanelled Gurus in Pune based Universities.
Success Stories
A rich legacy of 50 years! 50 years of dedication, hard work, Riyaz, achievements and success!
Here are some inspiring stories of our Alumni-s! Keep checking this space to read new stories every month!
Success Story Shambhavi Dandekar Started her training at the tender age of 4, under the able guidance of her own mother Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe Originally from Pune, India, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is the Founder-Director at SISK – Shambhavi’s International School of Kathak Active performance career of 34 years...
Success Story Poonam Gandhi Began her Kathak journey in 1976, one of the first students of Maneesha Nrityalaya Nritya Visharad from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Bachelors in Commerce and Masters in Social Work from Pune University Participated in Maneesha Nrityalaya’s inaugural USA tour in 1987 Senior dance teacher at Maneesha Nrityalaya – with nearly 40...
Success Story Manjiri Karulkar Started learning in the year 1975, one of the first students of Maneesha Nrityalaya Nritya Alankar in Kathak from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Senior research fellow of the Ministry of Culture, India Given over a hundred solo performances in India and abroad in 16 countries including the USA, Japan, Germany,...
Success Story Arundhati Bhide Started learning in the year 1988 Worked as one of the First Staff teachers at Maneesha Nrityalaya from 2002 to 2011 Has completed Nritya Alankar from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Co-founder and mentor at Abhineeti Kathak Dance School since 2011 Training students at her dance school for : Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva...
Success Story Shilpa Datar Started Learning in the Year 1990 Has completed her B.A and M.A in Kathak from Savitribai Phule Pune University and ‘Nritya Alankar’ from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Miraz Choreographed and performed for various festivals like Khajuraho Festival, Ganesh Festival at Delhi, Maval Festival and many more Performed in countries like Japan, China and...
Success Story Tejaswini Sathe Started learning in the year 1994, under the able guidance of Guru Pta. Maneesha Sathe, who is also her Mother- in-law Completed her Bachelors and Masters degree in Kathak from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University. Nritya Alankar in First class from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal Proud recipient of the coveted...