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Arpita Roy
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Arpita Roy is a Kathak dancer of the Lucknow Gharana, choreographer, and teacher. She holds Nritya Prabhakar from Allahabad Board and Nritya Visharad (gold medalist) from Tailakka Board. She trained under Guru Parimal Krishna, Smt. Chetna Jalan, Pandit Vijay Shankar, and currently learns from Shri Souvik Chakraborty.
She has performed across Kolkata and the USA, including the Kennedy Center, IDEA Festival by the Embassy of India, and the New York Kathak Festival. Her November 2025 performance at Gyan Manch was featured on Doordarshan.
She is the founder of Jhanak Dance Academy in Virginia. For over 22 years, her students have performed widely and won recognition at events like Dance India Dance North America, Boogie Woogie, National Cherry Blossom Festival, and Wolf Trap.
Affiliation With Padatik
JHANAK is proudly affiliated with PADATIK Dance Centre. PADATIK is one of India’s premier Kathak dance institutions. The legendary Kathak maestro Pt. Birju Maharaj has been associated with Padatik Dance Centre since 1998. This will enable Jhanak’s students to earn the most prestigious certificates and/or degrees on Kathak from a premier Kathak academy of India. All Kathak examinations (theory and practical) are conducted LIVE via video conference. Jhanak also conducts regular workshops on Kathak where students get the unique opportunity to learn directly from renowned Kathak exponents of India.
Student Achievements & Performances
Jhanak believes stage experience shapes a complete dancer. Regular performances build confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of achievement. Jhanak’s students have participated in numerous prestigious events including the following:
Dance India Dance (North America)
Boogie Woogie Dance Competitions
National Cherry Blossom Festival
International Children Festival, Wolf Trap
Zee Heritage India Festival
Reston Multicultural Festival
Image-In-Asian Talent show
Natya Idol Dance Competition (State and National)
IDEA Classical Dance Competition (Kathak category)
Certification Courses
Jhanak offers the following certification and degree (graduation and post-graduation) courses. All exams are held every year by Kathak exponents from India. Typically 5-year degree takes about 6 years and post-graduation takes about 2 years.
• Affiliationwith PADATIK Dance Centre also helps students earn prestigious certificates and 5-year graduation and 2-year post graduation in Kathak. Jhanak conducts yearly Kathak exams live through video conference with famous gurus from India. Jhanak’s students are constantly evaluated by gurus from India.
• Jhanak also offers degree course and certification from “Prachin Kala Kendra”, Chandigarh, the premier educational organization for the promotion, preservation and dissemination of Indian classical arts of music, dance and fine arts
