JHANKRITI JAIN – KATHAK ARTISTE
Jhankriti is a Doordarshan-graded, UNESCO & Ministry of Culture, Government of India recognized Kathak artiste from the Jaipur Gharana, a disciple of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and internationally renowned Kathak Maestro Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji from the rich lineage of legendary Guru Pt. Sh. Kundan Lal Gangani Ji.
With her Guruji Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji
Jhankriti is a Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India Senior Scholarship awardee and a highly qualified professional Performing Artist (Doctoral Research Scholar, University Gold Medalist, double Master’s and Bachelor’s in Kathak).
She has performed at prestigious platforms including the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, Govt of Rajasthan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Hungary.
Her dance style has been described as a symphony of elegance and strength, a ‘captivating spectacle that mesmerizes the audience with its enchanting rhythms’.
Each movement, a poetic verse in the grand epic of Kathak, resonates with the soulful echoes of this ancient Indian classical dance form, painting an ethereal tableau that lingers in the heart long after the performance concludes.
Born on 28 March 1998, Jhankriti naturally took to dancing at an early age. Ever since the age of 8 years, she has been undergoing rigorous training in the ancient Indian classical dance form of Kathak in the Guru-Shishya parampara.
Jhankriti completed her initial training under Guru Smt. Madhu Wadhwa Ji, Shishya of Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji, and then her advanced training under Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji herself.
Performance Showreel: https://youtu.be/dVPBUUZABCY
JHANKRITI’S VISION
Jhankriti wishes to help raise awareness towards the conservation of Kathak as well as the folk traditions through her work.
As a performing artist, she intends to engage the youth, inspiring in them a sense of pride in their culture by showcasing live Kathak performances, incorporating powerful storytelling techniques, and teaching them the Indian classical dance form to take the rich legacy forward.
Jhankriti intends to contribute towards the promotion of the arts through collaborative art performances with artists, amalgamating multiple art forms, blending dance performances with other art forms such as painting, sculpture, poetry, art installations, and digital media.
Jhankriti wishes to further her learning endeavors in the ancient Indian classical dance form of Kathak, contributing her bit to this beautiful art form.
RECOGNITION
Jhankriti is a Doordarshan-graded artiste. She has been nominated as a member of the prestigious International Dance Council, CID, UNESCO, Paris, recognized as the United Nations of Dance.
Felicitated by Union Ministers Sh. Arjun Ram Meghwal Ji & Sh. Kailash Choudhary Ji
Her research paper on ‘Contextualizing Dance in Heritage Spaces: Rani ki Vav, Gujarat and Vitthala Temple, Hampi” has been published in Shodh Samalochan, an acclaimed high-impact-factor peer-reviewed research journal.
Jhankriti’s Research Paper Published in Leading Journal
She has been invited as a Jury member to well-known dance events and competitions at the University Rajasthan College, B.Lal Institute of Biotechnology, All India 7th Cultural National Dance Contest and Festival, Saint Wilfred’s College.
Felicitated as Jury Member by the Principal, University Rajasthan College
She is also a Teacher and Examiner with the prestigious Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai.
Jhankriti was awarded the Samarthya Global Excellence Award-2022 in the field of Art and Culture by the Samarthya Seva Sansthan in recognition of her work and performances for the specially-abled.
Jhankriti has been featured in the “Indian Talent Magazine”, a popular multimedia-enriched magazine that recognizes artists.
Link to the magazine feature on Jhankriti: https://www.indiantalentmagazine.com/2020/04/05/jhankriti-jain/
ACADEMICS
Jhankriti has been awarded the prestigious “Scholarship to Young Artists” in the field of Kathak dance by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, which recognizes artists of ‘Outstanding promise’ in the Indian classical arts.
Jhankriti is a Doctoral Research Scholar pursuing her PhD in Kathak from the Department of Music, University of Rajasthan, under the supervision of Prof Vandana Kalla, Head of Department, University of Rajasthan. Her interdisciplinary research contextualizes dance in Indian heritage spaces.
She is also a University Topper & Gold Medalist in Bachelor in Performing Arts, B.P.A. (Kathak) from the Department of Music, University of Rajasthan.
Jhankriti has completed her Master’s in Kathak from the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (Khairagarh University).
She has also completed Alankar and Visharad in Kathak from the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai.
An academic topper throughout, Jhankriti did her schooling at Saint Anselm’s Pink City School, Jaipur, and was awarded the ‘Best Anselmite Girl of the Year Award’ for her outstanding performance in academics and extracurriculars.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, Bikaner by Ministry of Culture, Govt of India
PERFORMANCES
Solo performances on well-known platforms:
- Performance in Sangeet Natak Akademi and Ministry of Culture’s Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Delhi Kathak Kendra with her Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji
- Solo Kathak Recital in ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ in Bikaner, Rajasthan organized by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and the West Zone Cultural Centre.
Link to Jhankriti’s Performance:
https://www.youtube.com/live/Jrmc1IjWYQc?feature=share&t=6356 - Solo Kathak recital in ‘Utsaah’ organized by respected Durga Jasraj Ji, in memory of her father, the legendary Maestro Pandit Jasraj Ji.
Link to Jhankriti’s performance: https://fb.watch/bX3OLpsJoP/ - Solo Kathak recital in Special Olympics Bharat’s Republic Day program (Recognized by International Olympic Committee)
News Coverage on A1TV Television Channel:
https://fb.watch/b7pFyaC67E/ - Solo Kathak recital in Rajasthan Forum’s and Shree Cement’s Sumiran series. Link to Jhankriti’s performance:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theatrecanvaas/permalink/1171101486569403/ - Solo Kathak recital in Surtaal Sangeet Mahotsav, a well-known Pune-based organization affiliated to the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai.
Link to Jhankriti’s performance: https://fb.watch/2lQHOaEUfa/
News Coverage on A1TV Television Channel:
https://www.facebook.com/818465118195259/posts/4820021431372921/?sfnsn=wiwspwa&d=w&vh=e - Solo Kathak recital in ‘Virtual 5th Music Conference’, organized by Sur Taal in memory of Late Shri Ram Bhawan Singh Ji.
News Coverage on A1TV Television Channel:
https://www.facebook.com/818465118195259/posts/4871864679521929/?sfnsn=wiwspwa&d=w&vh=e - Solo Kathak recital for the Global Excellence Awards-2022 organized by Samarthya Seva Sansthan at RAS Club, Jaipur
- Solo Kathak in the seminar “New Frontiers in Indian Music” at Stani Memorial College
- Art Performance in 21st Congress of the National Federation of Indian Women
- Art Performances “A Celebration of Light with Bejeweled Kites” with New York-based artist Anou Singhvi.
- Art Performance at International Jaipur Art Summit-2015 at the Jawahar Kala Kendra
- Art Performance in the dance-drama ‘Sun Mere Bandhu Re’ (2015), tribute to legendary musician S.D. Burman with Sh. Ashok Banthia (Eminent Bollywood Actor and Member, Central Board of Film Certification)
- Solo Kathak in Ghoomar— 15th International Youth Festival (2017) organized by the University of Rajasthan
- Moti Doongri Ganesh Ji Temple in Jaipur, Ganesh Utsav-2017, under the guidance of Smt. Manjri Mahajani
- Kathak for Doordarshan’s New Year Programme (2016) under the guidance of Dr. Jyoti Bharti Goswami
- Performed at Srijan, the art event of the Kalaneri Art Gallery and Academy of Fine Arts
- Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Rajasthan and Saint Anselm’s Alumni Association
- Finalist in Rajasthan Patrika’s ‘The Dancing Stars’ competition in the category Solo Kathak (2017)
Performed on esteemed platforms under the direction of her Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla ji:
- Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi’s ‘Nrityam’ festival in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Link to performance: https://youtu.be/uCjXTBcadcs?t=4608 - ‘Rajasthan Literature Festival’ in Jodhpur organized by Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi and Jawahar Kala Kendra.
Link to Performance (1:15:00 onwards): https://fb.watch/jxnYSIZyMd/ - Uday Shankar Ballet Festival in Jaipur organized by the Shruti Mandal
- Maharana Kumbha Sangeet Samaroh in Udaipur, Rajasthan organized by West Zone Cultural Center under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India
- Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) Summit in Jaipur organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, Govt. of Rajasthan and FICCI India
- Momasar Utsav-2019 supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Hungary
- Performed at the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair-2024 in Jaipur
- The Amer Fort and the Albert Hall, Jaipur in the Rajasthan Diwas celebrations by Department of Tourism, Art, & Culture, Government of Rajasthan
- Rasrangam Festival organized by Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
- Katha Ballet Festival organized by Jawahar Kala Kendra
- Golden Jubilee of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Infosys Foundation’s Cultural Outreach Program
- Nrityam Festival-2023 organized by the Department of Art & Culture, Govt. of Rajasthan on the World Dance Day at the Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur.
- Faagotsav celebrations at Govind Dev Ji Temple, Nahar Ke Ganesh Ji Temple, and Janmashtami celebrations at Akshaya Patra, ISKCON
- ‘Guru Naman’: celebrating the legend that is Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji, organized by the Geetanjali Music Society.
Jhankriti has been a part of legendary performances choreographed by Guru Dr. Shashi Sankhla Ji such as the fusion of pure classical dance with the folk traditions of the Manganiyars, the innovative Kathak ballet rendering of Lord Vishnu’s Dashavataras in Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda, and Gangaur, a classical depiction of the colorful festival from the desert state of Rajasthan.
Jhankriti also has a keen interest in other dance forms such as Sufi, Chari, Ghoomar, Manjira, Garba, Dandiya, Giddha, and semi-classical dance styles.
DANCE ACADEMY: NRITYANAAD by JHANKRITI
Jhankriti has been running her own dance academy (‘Nrityanaad by Jhankriti’) with students in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and across India (Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, etc.).
She teaches the age-old tradition of Kathak, propagating Indian classical dance among people of all backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. Jhankriti tries to spread happiness and joy through dance, as it is a great stress buster and is good for mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.
She has been teaching people fighting cancer and other health challenges, as well as specially-abled individuals, recognizing the immense healing power of dance, which has proven to be a great motivation and inspiration for them, giving them a new direction and purpose in life.
She is also a visiting faculty at leading institutions and schools and has choreographed performances for cricketers from foreign countries, university, college, and school students, doctors, engineers, lawyers, and corporate professionals.
Jhankriti’s Students Across the Globe
Students in Jaipur
Students in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Student in Dubai, UAE
Students in Bangalore
Students in Australia
Student in London, UK
Student in California, USA
Students’ Performance Videos:
Guru Vandana:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C91jHYuBJiP/?igsh=MXZwbjRxNWt6N21yaA==
Durga Stuti:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BqzLWe9nT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Saraswati Vandana:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EaxAiymY8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Sakal Ban:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19CnuF3kvg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Mohe Rang do Laal: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HKwswwNGm/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BqzLWe9nT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Mohe panghat pe: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNZ2vUnRkzv/?igsh=Nmx3ZXp5N2RkN2ww
JHANKRITI’S INNOVATIONS IN KATHAK DANCE
- Jhankriti has been innovating & experimenting with the ancient art form, introducing new-age stories and narratives to reach modern-day audiences and the youth.
In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, she created a new Gat-Bhaav, a storytelling technique in Kathak, wherein Jhankriti conceptualized narratives to raise awareness about the pandemic lifestyle and the preventative measures to stay safe.
She used ancient Kathak storytelling techniques to portray the pandemic situation, the symptoms of the disease, and the precautions one must take through Kathak Mudras (gestures) and Abhinaya (expressions). The aim is to provoke the viewer to think about the unprecedented times we live in and the way forward.
Here’s the link to Jhankriti’s new Kathak Gat-Bhaav on Coronavirus disease: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFGGVBR4kuU
- Jhankriti has also been amalgamating other art forms into her Kathak performances, such as painting, sculpture, art installations, jewelry design, theater, and music.
At the International Art Summit-2015, she performed in the live dance-drama performance “A Call from The Past” with Ashok Banthia, Bollywood actor and former member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Link to Jhankriti’s art performance at the art summit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_JsoreQV2Q
- As a part of her performance with a New York-based artist, Jhankriti created a new Gat-Bhaav on the life and mannerisms of a kite: the way it flies into the limitless blue, soars the skies, and ultimately, falls down to the earth. Through her emotive expressions, she also portrayed the intimate relationship between the kite flier and her/his kite, performing the Indian classical repertoire to the tune of Western music.
Link to Jhankriti’s art performance:
https://youtu.be/04jFJIkEq64?t=97
LIFE becomes a dream when a DREAM becomes your life, believes Jhankriti
CONTACT JHANKRITI
Jhankriti’s Website: https://jhankritijain.sukhnidhey.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhankriti_kathak/
Facebook Page ‘NrityaNaad’: https://www.facebook.com/NrityaNaad/
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jhankriti-Jain/100011045677224
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6aw_BDrld7wCG03Dkcqibg/videos
LinkedIn Profile: https://in.linkedin.com/in/jhankritijain
Email: jhankriti@sukhnidhey.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +91-9928612753