About The Artist

     Shruti Patki is a dedicated disciple of Pandit Rajendra Gangani ji, the eminent maestro of the Jaipur gharana, and continues her training under the esteemed Guru Swati Sinha.
     Her journey in Kathak began in 1997 at the age of seven, captivated by the dance form’s elegance, poise, and rhythmic brilliance. Her formative years were guided by the stalwarts of the Benaras and Lucknow gharanas—Guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe and Guru Shambhavi Dandekar—under whose mentorship she excelled. She secured All India Rank 1 in Nritya Alankar (2012) from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and later pursued a Master’s degree in Performing Arts from Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune, where she was awarded the prestigious Pandita Rohini Bhate Gold Medal (2014).
     A recipient of several esteemed honours, Shruti has been awarded the Late Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award, Rabindra Puraskar, and the Kathak Navonmesh Nritya Sadhana Puraskar, recognising her exceptional artistry and contributions to Kathak.
     With a vision to make Kathak accessible across borders and generations, Shruti established SKILS (School of Kathak and Interdisciplinary Learning with Shruti) in 2014. SKILS transcends geographical boundaries, bringing Kathak to students in 14 countries across 6 continents through online training. The main branch is based in Pune, with additional branches in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
     A passionate performer and choreographer, Shruti has curated and produced seven editions of “Avant Garde,” the annual production of SKILS. This showcase blends traditional Kathak with contemporary and groundbreaking themes, bridging the classical with the modern to engage younger audiences and redefine Kathak’s artistic expression.

Achievements

  • “Lt. Pt. Lachchu Maharaj Award” by the Prerna Foundation, Pune.
  • “Rabindra Puraskar” by the Upasana Foundation, Pune.
  • “Pt. Ranganath Bendre Award” for standing first All over India in the post graduate level NRITYA ALANKAR examination conducted by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai.
  • Third place in the West Zone Inter University Youth Festival, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
  • First place at IIT Powai’s Cultural Festival MOOD INDIGO, event “Nrityangan”, National Level Solo Classical Dance Competition.

What we do

The goal of SKILS is the holistic development of students into artists and the best versions of themselves. Being a registered teacher of the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai, Shruti also trains her students for examinations conducted by them. Alongside dance, students are also taught the process of choreography, stage presence and performance skills.

Our mission through SKILS is to make Kathak more relatable and more accessible to today’s students and audience. SKILS’ annual programme Avant Garde is a step in that direction. It is a platform where students have the stage to dance and present everything they have learned to a mesmerized audience – with traditional kathak dances as well as choreographies to modern pieces relevant to our time and social dynamic. 

online Classes

We believe that distance should never be a barrier between a student and art. Thus SKILS also offers exclusive online classes and tutorials for students who wish to overcome the distance with their dedication.

Our Faculty

Classes are conducted by Shruti Patki or experienced faculty members at SKILS, ensuring high-quality training rooted in tradition and innovation.

Johannesburg Branch – In Collaboration with Nataka Dance Company

Founded in 2010 by Nuka Rajarathnam, Nataka Dance Company (NDC) has been instrumental in promoting Indian dance in South Africa. Originally focused on Kathak Fusion, Bollywood, and Indian Folk Dance, NDC has now shifted its focus to Classical Kathak for young adults and adults, offering in-depth training to serious learners.

Nuka, trained in Kathak under her mother Padhmavathee (Prema) Nydoo, a disciple of the legendary Gopi Krishna Ji, continues to refine her skills through her ongoing training with SKILS. This collaboration between SKILS and Nataka Dance Company strengthens the presence of Kathak in Johannesburg, South Africa, ensuring a growing and vibrant community of dancers.