Archana Sunjay
archana.sunjay.kathak@gmail.com
The eminent and beautiful Kathak dancer Archana Joglekar needs no introduction. The disciple of Kathak gurus like Asha Joglekar, Birju Maharaj and Gopi Krishna, Archana settled in New Jersey, America after her illustrious career in India. Her choreographies like Rituraaj Darshan Ballet, Taal Mala, Ardha Naari Nateshwar are too well known and much applauded. But even in America she didn't stop performing and dancing. Not only is she successful in keeping the Indian culture alive in the West but also has a huge fan following. She continues to work in the field of dance through three ways: Lecture Demonstrations, Performing and Teaching.
At her Archana Nrityaalay institute (which she is running successfully in New Jersey), one could find many people who are eager and willing to learn Kathak. And if you are thinking that mostly Indians come to her institute, then you are wrong. Archana says that American students are more curious and aware of Indian culture than their Indian counterparts. At the famous Flintstone University, where she also teaches during the Spring summer semester, she was taken aback when the students asked about the Devdaasi Prathaa and Temple culture at the end of her very first demonstration.
Archana has been working in America since 2001 and through her teaching and performance had made an immense contribution to the Indian Culture in the foreign land. Her non profit organization "Maadhyam" has been formed in order to develop a base for Indian dance and music. This organization conducts an annual Gaandharv Festival; to expose the Indian art form to the west.Archana's achievement is a promise for young kathak choreographers like us.
In a country where every child is being exposed to international cosmopolitan culture, Archana's work is commendable. Not only has she been able to nurture the "Indian-ness" in the fellow Americans, but also has inculcated a deep sense of understanding in the resident Indians about the various aspects of Indian dance and music, who otherwise tend to think that Indian dances are all about Bollywood.