Sufi Raina – Founder of Tej Dance Studio

MY PROFILE

  • Lecturer of Indian Classical Dance (Kathak)
  • Experience as a choreographer in television and movies
  • MA in Indian Classical Dance
  • Was a part of the Dance Team of my college for five years and was awarded best dancer consecutively for three years in the Inter-University Youth Festival.
  • Was awarded the Best Artist in the Guru Nanak Dev University Inter-departmental competition.

EDUCATION
Master of Arts – Indian Classical Dance (Kathak) Jalandhar, India
Apeejay College of Fine Arts Jul’06 – Apr’08

  • Secured Second Rank in the University
  • Guru: Smt. Dr Santosh Vyas
  • Gharana: Jaipur

Initial training under the guidance of Dr. Santosh Vyas ji
Currently learning under the guidance of  Vidha Lal ji

EXPERIENCE
Kanya Mahavidyalaya Jalandhar, India
Lecturer (Kathak)
May 2008- Dec 2010

CHOREOGRAPHIES

  • Choreographed solo Kathak performance at the 2008 Inter-Zonal Guru Nanak Dev University Youth festival. The performance was awarded the second position.
  • Choreographed solo Creative dance performance at the 2008 Inter-Zonal Guru Nanak Dev University Youth festival. The Choreography was inspired by Four Season (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall). The performance was awarded the second position
  • Choreographed solo Kathak performance at the 2009 Zonal Guru Nanak Dev University Youth festival. The performance was awarded the third position.
  • Choreographed solo Creative dance performance at the 2009 Zonal Guru Nanak Dev University Youth festival. The Choregraphy was inspired by Circle of Life. 
  • Choreographed solo Kathak performance at the 2010 Zonal Guru Nanak Dev University Youth festival. The performance was awarded the third position.
  • Choreographed multiple performances in Punabi folk dance and fusion at August 15th and January 26th celebrations during my tenure fronm 2008 to 2010 at KMV College. Each of the performances were performed by over one hundred students. These celebrations were presided over by the Chief Minister and the Education Minister of Punjab.
  • Choreographed a fusion performance at the inter-College Festival inspired by role of education and women empowerment.

FREELANCE EXPERIENCE

  • Choreographer for ETC Punjabi TV Channel’s new year program for 2004
  • Assistant choreographer for the Punjabi movie “Heer Ranjha”.  
  • Invited to North Somerset (England) by the North Somerset Music Service as a part of Teacher’s Cultural Exchange program to perform and teach Kathak in schools, introducing students to Indian Classical Dance.

PERFORMANCES
2011-2012

  • Performed Kathak at the Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, San Diego on the occasion of Indian Independence Day celebrations.
  • Performed Kathak at the ISKCON Temple, San Diego on the occasion of Janm-Ashtami.
  • Performed Kathak in the December nights festival at Balboa Park, San Diego

2006-2010

  • Directed and performed in a Nritya-Natika (Ballet) on Girl Child for the “Nanhi Chhaan Foundation” at Jalandhar Punjab.
  • Performed Kathak at the annual convocation of Kanya Mahavidyalya Jalandhar. The function was presided over by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit the Chief Minister of Delhi.
  • Performed Kathak at Kathak Utsav organized at Apeejay College of Fine Arts in collaboration with Kathak Kendra, New Delhi India
  • Was awarded the Best Dancer at the Inter-Departmental Classical Dance Competition at Apeejay College of Fine Arts Jalandhar.

2001 to 2005

  • Performed Punjabi Folk Dance at the 75th Anniversary of Singapore Khalsa Association presided by Mr Lee Hsiin Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore
  • Performed Punjabi folk dance (Gidha) at the Zonal University Youth Festival as was adjudged the Best Dancer.
  • Performed at the University Inter-Departmental Cultural Competitions at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar and was awarded the first position for my performance

1999- 2000

  • Performed Punjabi folk dance (Gidha) at the University Youth Festival Final and was adjudged the Best Dancer.

If kathak is on your mind and you don’t know where to start – call us today!

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