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30 Years of Taal and Tarana
From its humble beginnings in a small apartment to becoming a strong foundation of cultural teachings, the academy has stayed true to its mission of preserving and expanding the art of Kathak.
Tarana Dance Academy celebrates 30 years / Naisha Jha
The sound of music, bright lights, and most importantly, the applause marked the 30 year anniversary for Chicagoland’s biggest classical dance studio, the Tarana Academy of Dance and Music. This year’s recital, titled “Dream Big,” hosted nearly 2000 people on Oct. 13, at West Aurora High School.
Tarana’s journey began in 1994, when Guru Sheetal Dhanani decided to share her love for dance with the world. She said, “I sold my wedding jewelry just to try and make enough money to compose my own music.” Sheetal founded the academy and began teaching out of her cramped apartment. This organization soon turned into the present day’s large studio, with three different locations across the Chicagoland area. These include Aurora, Oakbrook, and Schaumburg.
What makes this studio different from all the others? To start, Tarana is a dance company dedicated to teaching the art form and history of Kathak, a North Indian Classical dance. Additionally, the teachers are not all adults - rather, many of them are practicing students themselves. This unique style of teaching introduces a different perspective to learning students, giving a new idea towards the dance.
One student teacher said: “Learning from girls who are also students is so unique. Since they have experience with exactly what we do, they are able to explain material much easier and overall make the class much more fun.” Tarana also approaches music from a different angle. Although they perform many classical pieces, Tarana also takes Bollywood music and incorporates traditional steps into it, making for a fabulous fusion dance.
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The 30th-anniversary recital was a display of the passion and artistic excellence that defines the Tarana Academy of Dance and Music. From its humble beginnings in a small apartment to becoming a strong foundation of cultural teachings, the academy has stayed true to its mission of preserving and expanding the art of Kathak. As the academy looks to the future, it continues to inspire students and audiences with its blend of tradition and modern innovation, setting the stage for many more years of artistic brilliance.
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