new york
Leela New York writes a new chapter of the story of Kathak in America. Brought from Calcutta to California in 1971, kathak planted new American roots that have flourished over the course of five decades. Now this extraordinary lineage takes its long overdue place in New York City – the dance capital of the world. Spearheaded in 2016 by Leela Dance Collective Artistic Director Rachna Nivas, Leela NY began as a grassroots initiative and quickly made an impact on NYC’s dance community through workshops, classes, and performances. With a dedicated core leadership team and a growing demand and interest in the art form, Leela NY established itself as an independent organization, fiscally sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts. In 2021, Leela NY proudly joined forces with its sister schools in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver to form Leela Institute of Kathak, representing a unified, clairvoyant vision for the field of kathak dance.
Kathak Summer Immersion Program
Rolling Applications Open Until May 31, 2025
Wed, Aug 6th – Tue, Aug 26th (weekdays) | 6:00pm-9:30pm
NY Live Arts, 219 W 19th St, New York, NY, Manhattan
Leela Students: $765
Non-Leela Students: $865 + theory booklet
Mehfil-e-Kathak:
A Tribute to the Rich Cultural Heritage of Kathak
Join us for a spectacular student showcase featuring kathak students of Leela New York – the premiere New York City training center of Leela Dance Collective, under the artistic direction of renowned kathak artist, Rachna Nivas. Set in a scene reminiscent of India’s opulent courts, our evening will immerse you in captivating stories, rhythms, and graceful movements. Witness the elegance and passion of Kathak come alive as we celebrate this timeless dance form.
Artistic Direction: Rachna Nivas
Live musical artists:
Jayanta Banerjee, Sitar
Satyaprakash Misra, Tabla
Asif Khan, Vocal
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 3pm and 6pm
New York City Center | 131 W 55th St. | Manhattan
Thank you to our funders
For 2025, Leela NY community, educational and training programs are proud to be supported by Harkness Foundation for Dance and, also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Artistic Leadership
Rachna Nivas
Rachna Nivas (@rachnanivas) is a performing artist, choreographer, educator, community organizer, and activist of Indian classical art with a mission to uphold its authenticity while thoughtfully advancing its modernity. She is one of the most accomplished kathak dance practitioners of her generation, called by critics “revelatory” and “charismatic” who “radiates power and grace”. Her work is rooted in elevating feminine consciousness and Eastern philosophies challenging Eurocentric cultural paradigms. Having risen to principal dancer in legendary Pandit Chitresh Das’ acclaimed company for 17 years, today Rachna is Co-Artistic Director of LA-based Leela Dance Collective and directs Leela’s New York City training center.
Rachna was awarded the prestigious New York Public Library for Performing Arts Dance Research Fellowship and NYC’s CUNY Dance Initiative residency. Her original works include Reclaiming the Divine Feminine, Unedited, SPEAK, Son of the Wind, Meera, Notable tours of Rachna’s works include LA’s Ford Theaters, Broad Stage, San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, New York Live Arts, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, India’s National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, New Delhi’s Epicenter.
As an educator, Rachna has trained and mentored students on the West and East Coasts with an aim to foster excellence in kathak. Amongst South Asians, Rachna strives to engender pride and ownership of decolonized Indian artistic tradition.
Contact Us
Phone:
914-432-2551
Email:
newyork@leela.dance
Mailing Address:
320 West 38th St. #1209
New York, New York 10018
” Leela allows dancers to find each other and follow the lineage that has transformed South Asian art in the US. It is a community of multiple dancers with the same vision…to serve students by facilitating collaboration, community, and growth. “
– Sneha B.
Leela Dance Collective
23650 Community Street
Los Angeles, CA 91304
P: 323.457.4522
E: info@leela.dance
Bookings
P: 775.560.2598
E: bookings@leela.dance
