Kaladhaam Academy and Noopur Bhargava
Kaladhaam Academy: Keeping the Legacy of Kathak Alive in Bengaluru
In the bustling heart of Whitefield, Bengaluru, Kaladhaam Academy has quietly emerged as one of The city’s premier centres for Kathak. Founded in 2017 by Noopur Bhargava with just a single student, the academy today stands as a thriving institution, shaping the next generation of dancers in
the pure Benaras Gharana tradition.
What sets Kaladhaam apart is its blend of discipline and creativity. Students here are not only trained in technique and expression but encouraged to explore the joy of performance. Over The years, they have represented the academy on some of India’s most prestigious stages—Kashi Vandan, Ghaat Sandhya, TFC Varanasi, Desh Rag (Bhilai), Bhavarpan (Banaras), Acharya Choubey Maharaj Mahotsav (Mumbai), Pyramid Valley
International, and the Khelo India closing ceremony in Bengaluru.
Closer home, Kaladhaam’s in-house festivals—Tyohaar, the academy’s annual showcase, and Prerna, a solo recital series—has become a highly anticipated cultural event, offering students a A platform to bring their training alive on stage.
At the helm is Noopur Bhargava, a Visharad in Kathak and a disciple of Kathak Queen Jayanti Mala Mishra, daughter of the legendary Sitara Devi ji. With her vision, Kaladhaam Academy continues to carry forward the timeless grace of Kathak while inspiring a new generation of performers.
About Nrityaarambh:-
This special initiative is designed to offer a live stage platform to our senior students who have successfully cleared their 3rd-year Kathak exam. In a time dominated by reels and digital content, Nrityaarambh is our humble effort to bring focus back to the traditional solo performance format — where the artist engages with the audience not just through movement, but also through *padhant, expression, and the dynamic interaction with **live musicians*.
The students are being personally trained by me to understand stage presence, master the grammar of solo presentation, and most importantly, to carry forward the essence of our beautiful tradition with confidence and grace.
Our featured artists for this edition are:
1. Ananya Gupta
2. Bhoomika Singh
3. Riva Banerjee
Ananya Gupta:-
A 14-year-old student of Greenwood High International School has been immersed in the world of Kathak has been under the tutelage of Ms. Noopur Bhargava for the past five years. Currently pursuing the fourth-year level of training, her journey has been one of discipline, growth, and joy.
She has had the privilege of performing at Prerna, under the guidance of Ms. Jayantimala Mishra ji, and at Tyohaar, the annual showcase of Kaladhaam Academy. Among her cherished memories is travelling to Raipur for the Bhilai competition, where she proudly secured the 3rd prize. For her, Kathak is more than a dance form—it is strength, energy, and a way of life. While Western Dance and horse riding remain part of her interests, and
Kathak continues to hold a special place in her heart heart, nurtured by the constant support and inspiration of
her guru.
Bhoomika Singh:-
From her early years, Bhoomika Singh felt an innate connection with rhythm and movement. What began as a childhood fascination has today evolved into a remarkable journey in Kathak, one of India’s most celebrated classical dance forms. Trained in the Benaras Gharana under the esteemed guidance of Shrimati Noopur Bhargava,
Bhoomika has carved her own space as both a performer and a mentor. Her dance is distinguished by graceful abhinaya and impeccable footwork, bringing together discipline, emotion, and artistry.
Beyond her personal journey, Bhoomika is also nurturing the next generation of dancers as a teacher at The Foundation School. A devoted mother of two, she balances her roles as an artist, educator,
and parent with equal passion. Whether on stage at cultural showcases or in classrooms shaping young talent, Bhoomika Singh continues to inspire through her unwavering commitment to Kathak—a true testament to lifelong learning and the power of pursuing one’s dreams at any stage of life.
Riva Banerjee:-
At just four years old, Riva began her journey in Kathak during the COVID-19 lockdown, training online under her guru, Smt. Noopur Bhargava of Kaladhaam Academy. What started as a childhood interest soon blossomed into a deep passion,with Riva quickly mastering the nuances of the dance form. Known for her energetic stage presence and graceful expressions, she has performed at several cultural events, earning appreciation
and accolades along the way.
A student of Vydehi School of Excellence, Riva is an all-rounder who shines both in academics and
extracurriculars. She has represented her school in dance, theatre, painting, storytelling, and ramp walk, while
also achieving recognition at inter-school and national-level dance competitions.
For Riva, Kathak is more than a performance art—it is a language of emotion, rhythm, and creativity. Her journey reflects discipline, talent, and a joy that continues to inspire her growth as a young artist.
The dance festival of her disciples Ananyagupta, Bhumika Singh and Riva Banerjee was amazing. Tabla artist Shri Gajraj Mohini, violin artist Shri Chinmai Joshi and sitar artist Shri Siddharth Garud, played music with their musical instruments during the performance and played a major role in the success of the program.
