Noopur Performing Arts

Revitalizing KAthak

Welcome to

NOOPUR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

“Noopur performing Arts Centre” is a learning centre for ‘Kathak’, the Indian Classical dance from North India . Founded in 1996 by the dance couple, Hari and Chethana, “Noopur” has offered training to students from various cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds and till date has trained over 500 dedicated students. ‘Noopur’ is devoted to the cause of ‘spiritual dance’ that embodies the significance of pure, expressional and devotional kathak. Located in the heart of the city of Bangalore, the learning centre provides oppurtunities to students to learn and perform at various local, national and international forums. “Noopur” aims to keep up with the artistic traditions of North India, while integrating the cultural nuances of the South and hopes to foster the significance of spirituality, religion, values and ethics in dance in order to evoke the true essence of our Indian tradition.

Artistic Directors

Hari & Chetana

Hari and Chethana were initiated to Kathak by Guru Geethanjali Lal, grounded by Bharathi Vittal and Vaibhavi Joshipura and finally sculpted by Smt. Kumudini Lakhia. Hari is a graduate from Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography under the able guidance of Guru. Smt.Maya Rao. The duo consider their gurus as the greatest blessing of their lives. 

Hari and Chethana have distinguished themselves as inspiring dancers and have given performances all over India, United states of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Indonesia, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi- Arabia, Srilanka and the Middle – East and have won critical acclaim around the globe. Their quest to pass on their fine blend of classical rigor and technical virtuosity lead them to establish The Noopur Performing Arts Center.

Hari and Chethana have trained more than 500 children to put up dance productions such as Yatra – The journey of Dance, Ramayan and Bali Yatra in the year 2003, 2005 and 2007, respectively. They have had the honour to perform in the presence of The King of Ipoh – Malaysia. They also performed for her Royal Highness Princess of Kuwait, Princess of Jordan, His Royal Highness of Dubai, at Burj Al-Arab. In fact, they are officially the first Kathak dance couple with the credit of performing in Saudi Arabia. They are empanelled artistes of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and auditioned artist of Bangalore Doordarshan.
 

Hari and Chethana have featured in Regional Kannada film Parva directed by Sunil kumar Desai. Recently they have acted and Choreographed in a Historical Malayalam Film “Makara Manya” based on the life history of Raja Ravi Verma, directed by Lenin Rajendran

Awards Received

Rasa Ranjini Award

Best Dance couple award

Shiva foundation award

Natyalakshana Akademi Award

Nritya Kowmudhi Award

Learn the traditional art of Kathak

from accomplished practitioners

Popular Works

Sift through some of the highly acclaimed classical works produced by Noopur performing arts center under the artistic direction of Hari & Chethana

Fires Within

The Mughlai influence of Kathak comes to life in this alluring composition, a piece woven from the great Mughal poet’s, Mirza Ghalib’s, poem. The piece is a stylized integration of traditional Kathak comprising footwork, Tukdas, Thihais, Rangmanch, Taranas and Chakkars as well as pieces of Abhinaya comprising of Urdu Ghazals coupled with elegant movements and rythmic nuances.

KRISHNANJALI

This beauteous composition takes the form of a divine love offering to Lord “Krishna” who is depicted as the Supreme Being, an ‘avatar’ of Vishnu or the preserver. It opens with a ‘Shloka’ or an ode to Krishna as “Govinda” or the one who pervades all worlds, spreading his Power and as an “Adi Purusha” or the primeval Lord.

SHAKUNTALAM

This composition takes the form of a Kathak-based dance drama having been adapted from Kalidasa’s, (the great Sanskrit poet’s )”Abhijnana Shakuntalam”.

Watch Noopur KAthak Videos

Hari and Chethana- Noopur

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Kathak Training

Noopur has offered training to students from various cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds and till date has trained over 50 dedicated students.

‘Noopur’ is devoted to the cause of ‘spiritual dance’ that embodies the significance of pure, expressional and devotional kathak.

At the forefront of

Preserving the tradition of kathak

Noopur Performing Arts Center
#463, 1st Floor, 6th Cross, 10th Main Road,
Vivek Nagar Bangalore – 560047 Karnataka.

Cell Phone – +91 9113 086 401 
Email – hari_noopur@yahoo.com
chethna_dance@yahoo.com