Today we’d like to introduce you to Antara Datta.
Hi Antara , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Anga Kala Kathak Academy was founded in Seattle in the year 2010 with the sole purpose of imparting students & enthusiasts an exceptional training in the classical art form of Kathak; while also inculcating the values, traditions and culture it embodies. After moving to Ohio in 2012, the school was established first in Akron, OH followed by a center in Solon, OH. After a year of successful operation in Akron and Solon, OH, it expanded to Columbus, OH. In 2017 we opened center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania followed by a center in Westlake, OH in 2023. Simultaneously, the academy also thrived in Seattle, WA ever since its inception in 2010 with branches in Redmond, Issaquah and Bothell, WA. We are currently training over 250 dance students of various age groups and experience levels in the rich tradition of the Lucknow gharana (school) of Kathak.
We provide our students a stimulating, supportive and multi-cultural environment to explore the physical, intellectual and spiritual benefits of this ancient art-form. We wish to enrich our community through performances & demonstrations; and also foster personal growth and cultural exploration through our workshop and outreach activities.
The academy offers certification program in Kathak, accredited to ISTD (www.istd.org). As students graduate, they are recognized with certification of accomplishment for each grade. In addition to this, the academy organizes bi-annual dance recital on a large scale providing the students a significant opportunity to collaborate with world class professional musicians, dancers, and instructors. Our biannual galas are powered by Arts Without Borders, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Antara Datta in 2015 with the sole purpose to popularize classical performing arts in North America. and to explore and highlight the ways in which oriental and western classical art-forms resemble or complement each other. The non-profit also aims to create opportunities for everyone to learn, enjoy and contribute to classical performing art regardless of language, ethnicity and religion.
The academy also has a sister performing unit, Anga Kala Dance Company which took shape in 2021 since when the company is working dedicatedly and enthusiastically on its mission to popularize Kathak in the community through local performances, collaborations with other music and dance schools, and development of high-quality productions, and to provide exposure to the next generation of Anga Kala Kathak Academy students and senior artists to preserve the art form and its rich heritage. It trains the qualifying participants to develop as classical Kathak performers, alongside their regular education.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As it is said, struggles are a part of growth, we also faced challenges enroute. Due to family reasons I had to move to Ohio soon after developing centers in Seattle. This decision brought along its own challenges which included scheduling travels to Seattle every month and training a new set of instructors to help run the centers in Seattle along with me and I still travel to Seattle every month to ensure the quality of instruction across all the centers in Seattle. I also travel to Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh, PA on a weekly basis (3 weekends in a month) to develop and maintain the centers over there.
A major challenge was then posed by the covid-19 pandemic when the entire academy had to be run online while developing new teaching methodologies to assist in the online learning process. It was also a challenge to keep the interest and dedication towards the art form alive in the hearts of the students which is often propagated best through in-person interactions.
Another major challenge that we still face is procuring sufficient financial aids and securing grants to organized large scale productions in the community as you are aware that arts need patrons to survive and propagate and being a minority artist it becomes even more challenging but in spite of them, my passion towards dance has always helped me flow like a river making way through hurdles.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am attaching my brief biodata below to help you learn more about myself.
Antara Datta is the founder and artistic director of Anga Kala Kathak Academy, which imparts holistic training in the Indian classical art form of Kathak, following the rich tradition of the Lucknow Gharana. The academy has branches in Ohio, Washington, and Pennsylvania, making significant contributions to preserving and popularizing this art form since 2010.
Antara began learning Kathak at the age of five in Kolkata, India, and holds double diplomas in Kathak from Bangiya Sangeet Parishad and Prayag Sangeet Samiti. She trained under acclaimed gurus, including Srimati Anuradha Nag, Late Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji, and Vidushi Saswati Sen. She is currently pursuing Masters in Performing Arts (KATHAK) from Mahatma Gandhi Mission University, India with Guru Parwati Dutta and receives Taal Vidya training (intensive rhythm training) tunder the expert guidance of Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil. She also receives expert guidance in abhinaya (expressive aspect of dance) from Guru Deepak Mazumdar in India.
As the President of Arts Without Borders, a 501(c)(3) organization, Antara is dedicated to creating a universally accessible platform for promoting and nurturing classical performing arts. The organization supports cross-cultural collaborations and hosts events featuring renowned artists, emphasizing community outreach and mental health awareness through the arts.
Antara has choreographed several acclaimed productions, including ‘Shakti Rupeno,’ ‘Dhundh,’ ‘Tamoyug – The Dark Era on Pandemic,’ and ‘Ghungroos to Glass Slippers – Cinderella’s Tale.’ She has performed extensively across the U.S. and India, collaborating with artists of diverse dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Tap Dance, Flamenco, and Ballet. Highlights of her career include performances at Madison Square Garden, New York, and international festivals in India. She has served as adjunct faculty at Cornish College of Arts (Seattle), Kent State University (Ohio), and the University of Akron (Ohio). Recognized for her contributions to dance, Antara received the ALPHA Women Award in 2017 from Elite Women Around the Globe and was recently honoured by FICA, Federation of India Community Associations of Northeast Ohio the “Unsung Hero Award” in the field of Arts during the 76th Republic Day Celebrations on Feb 1, 2025 held in Solon, Ohio.
How do you define success?
For me, the idea of success is not confined to learning the dance and its technical aspects but to be able to use dance as a tool for bringing about a significant transformation in an individual.
If I talk from a perspective of a dance educator and Guru, I would say that as students immerse themselves in the art form, they not only develop a deeper understanding of its technical and expressive dimensions but also cultivate an appreciation for its emotional and spiritual essence. Along the way, they nurture essential virtues such as self-discipline, dedication, and perseverance—qualities that shape their character, guide their actions, and influence the work they pursue, ultimately reflecting in their overall persona.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angakala.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antara.datta.96/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angakalakathakacademy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/andatta
- Other: https://theawb.org/
