Dr. Richa Jain
- Dr. Pranaame Bhagawati
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Kathak dance exponent and katha vaachak (storyteller who seamlessly sings and dances), Richa began her formal training in Kathak at the tender age of three under the guidance of her parents—esteemed gurus Ravi Jain and Nalini Malhotra Jain. Guru Ravi Jain, a disciple of Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow Gharana and Alaknanda Devi of the Benaras Gharana, along with Guru Nalini Malhotra Jain, a disciple of Sunder Prasad and Kundan Lal Gangani of the Jaipur Gharana, have imparted a rich and diverse foundation to her training. With such extensive and nuanced guidance, Richa’s performances reflect a harmonious confluence of the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benaras gharanas, embodying both grace and rhythmic vitality. She received her initial training in vocal music from Ajit Kumar Mishra and was later groomed in Hindustani classical music under the guidance of A. Maheshwar Rao of the Gwalior Gharana, a recipient of the State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Richa is among the rare Katha Vaachaks who can seamlessly recite, sing, and dance scriptural narratives.
She actively promotes, both nationally and internationally, the ancient temple tradition of Nritya Seva—storytelling through dance rooted in the katha vaachan parampara from which Kathak originated. Besides being an A- grade performing artist of National Television of India (Doordarshan- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ) , Richa is an empaneled artist of the I.C.C.R, Ministry of External Affairs and is also impaneled with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Richa has given numerous performances in India and Abroad, both on stage and on television. Richa is also a published author of the book “Kathak”, published by Parragon Publishing India in 2025. She has also written research papers in reputed journals. Richa has collaborated with the Directorate of Education Delhi, NCERT, and the ICSE Board to promote art integration and awareness of classical dance among students. She has served as a jury member at University of Delhi and as a preview expert for the Doordarshan Archives. Currently, she trains young Kathak students through her organization Kala Kunj in Delhi, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian classical arts. An alumna of Jesus and Mary College, she holds a Master’s degree in Commerce and a Ph.D. in Dance.
Awards & Honours:
She has also been awarded by India - Canada Association (Ottawa - Canada) for her contribution in the field of Dance in 2014.
Delhi Teachers University has also honored her for her contribution in the field of Dance in 2025.
She was bestowed with Late Kathak Samrat Pt. Chabinath Misra Kathak Samman in 2014.
Richa been awarded the title of ‘Shringar Mani’ by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai in 2009.
She has been honoured by Rotary Club for her choreographic production for the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in 2024.
With superb dance performances, what made you deeply indulge in being a 'Katha Vaachak'? Is this your USP?
This was actually my parents’ vision. My mother trained in Jaipur gharana under Pt.sunder prasad ji and Pt. Kundan Lal gangani ji and my father Guru Ravi Jain trained under Pt. Shambhu maharaj of Lucknow gharana and Alaknanda devi ji of Benaras Gharana. Not many know that Alaknanda ji , who was the daughter of Sukhdev Maharaj and elder sister of Sitara Devi , used to perform Katha Vaachan, that is, she used to sing , recite and dance stories. While my training for dance was on from the age of 3 years, my parents also initiated me in music from age 6, under Sh. Ajit kumar Mishra ji of Benaras (whose father was a Katha Vaachak), I was later groomed for over 16 years in Gwalior Gharana of hindustani classical music by Pt. A Maheshwar Rao Sir. For many years, I was strictly trained in the three gharanas of Kathak, and performed their extensive repertoire. It was much later that i started performing Katha Vaachan, that is, singing and dancing simultaneously. The reason as stated by my parents was " Pehley nritya saadho, ang aur pair ki shudhi karo aur saath saath swar ko gale mein baithao". Only then Katha Vaachan is possible. And as times passed this became my USP.
With the overflow of terms and performances like 'Kathak Bollywood' and 'Sufi Kathak,' what future awaits the upcoming Kathak dancers?
The onus lies on the Guru. The Guru must explain before teaching that:
‘Kathak Bollywood' and 'Sufi Kathak' are not Kathak. They dilute the sanctity of the dance form all together!
There are no shortcuts to learning a classical dance form.
Don't be in a hurry to be famous.
20 seconds reels do not make one a Kathak dancer. It takes years of hardwork , determination, persistence and surrender.
If one really needs to internalize the dance form, they must practice the above mentioned.
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