Bio
Kesha is a British Asian female dancer and choreographer. Her primary training is in Kathak under her mother, Priti Raithatha and Nilima Devi M.B.E. with whom she accomplished 6 National ISTD examinations. Since 2009, Kesha has divided her time between India and the UK training in Kathak, Contemporary, Kalari Payattu, and various Indian folk forms whilst performing under celebrated Indian Classical and Contemporary dance artists and companies.
Kesha is extremely keen to utilise her position in the arts sector to generate a constant flow of creativity between artists of India and the UK alongside making work that is relevant or even taboo to the current social and political climate.
Current
The Place (London Contemporary Dance School) - Workplace Artist (2021 - 2025)
Curve Theatre (Leicester) - Resident Artist
Awards
Arts Council England - National Lottery Project Grant awards to develop ‘Traces’ solo work
Akademi - Choreogata Choreographic Commission - Awarded funds from Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation
First cohort for ‘The Curve Leadership Programme' funded by Arts Council England 2016 - 2018
PEGDA, Prakriti Foundation for the Arts, April 2022 - Attendee on behalf of The Place, Bangalore
EDN - Climate Change Conference, Dresden, 2022
Mentors
· Samir Bhambra - Phizzical (Current)
· Anand Bhatt (Current)
· Eva Recacha: (2016 - 19) Choreographic Mentor for twice Arts Council England funded solo work - 'Traces'
· Sadler’s Wells: (2018) Secondment - Artistic Engagement, Programming, Marketing and Creative Mentoring
· Sharon Watson: (2017) Phoenix Dance Theatre – Creative Leadership and Artistic Direction
· Claire Hicks: (2014) – ex producer Dance4
Background
Kathak Training
· Smt. Nirupama Rajendra of Abhinava Dance Company (Bangalore India)
January 2010 – present (5-6 months annually)
Rang Manch Pravesham (Solo Graduation) - 2014 (Bangalore & UK)
· Smt. Daksha Sheth of Daksha Sheth Dance Company (Kerala, India)
July 2013- 2016 Including Kalari and Company’s Indian contemporary style.
· Dr. Maya Rao of ‘Natya Institute of Kathak and choreography’ (Bangalore India)
December 2008 –July 2009
· Smt. Nilima Devi M.B.E. of Centre for Indian Classical Dance’ (CICD) (Leicester UK)
1994- 2012 Qualifications: 6 ISTD national examinations & ISTD National Diploma in Kathak attained in 2006
· Rajeshree Priti Raithatha - Creative Indian Dance and Kathak
Additional training in Kathak through workshops and intensives:
Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rajendra & Jagdish Gangani, Akram Khan, Nahid Siddiqui, Maulik Shah, Roshan Datye, Aakash Odedra (on going), Sonia Sabri, Urja Thakore, Sanjukta Sinha, Prashant Shah
Dance Courses & Intensives
LDIF Leicester (2019) Alessandra Seutin (Vocab dance) Jean Guy (Haiti) Thomas Tallava Technique (Netherlands) Participant and Performer
Impulstanz (2018) Austria - Sessions with Jose Agudo in Contemporary, Rhythm, Flamenco Roots
Guy Cools Dramaturgy Alleyne Dance : ContemporaryAtropos Theatre (2016) Bangalore/Kerala Artistic Director: Stamatis Efstathiou Greece/ Physical Theatre Intensive and Performance Residency (student and performer)
Dance Intense Toronto, Canada - (August 2011) a two week summer intensive course hosted by ‘SAMPAD’ UK and ‘Sampradaya’ Toronto
Kalari Payattu at Academy of Performing Arts – (Bangalore) Tutor Ranjan Mullarat and Bobby Kalari Yogi
Senior batch dancer (SPB) Performing and intensive training within company. Styles covered: Bollywood, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Salsa
SDIPA (Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts) Bangalore (2009-2010)
A Level in Western Contemporary with Judy Sealy and Caroline Murlando from Leicestershire Arts in Education
Academic Qualifications
· Nottingham Trent University - BA (hons) Graphic Design (2005-2008)
· De Montfort University - BTEC National Diploma in Foundation Art & Design (2004-2005)
· Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I Sixth Form College (2002-2004)
A-Levels in: Modern Dance (B) English Literature (B) Graphic Design (B)