A passionate Kathak dancer, Archana runs her dance school in Pune. She holds Kathak close to her heart and has been running her institute for the last 28 years.

Archana Vishram Patwardhan is a Kathak performer and a teacher who runs her dance school in Pune under the name Archana Nrityalaya.

Recalling her childhood, Archana talks about how her teacher encouraged her parents to support the artist in her when she was a child. Her mother understood that Archana would do good in dance, as she often used to replicate the dance steps while watching TV. So, she was admitted to a dance school where she learned Kathak under the supervision of a guru.

The instance marked her entry into the field of dance, after which she undertook advanced training in Kathak, completed her visharad degree, and did her masters from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University. However, her father wanted her to pursue an educational degree to get a secured job. Considering his advice, Archana also completed her BCom.

After spending years practicing Kathak, Archana's dance teacher instructed her to oversee a branch of a school that she subsequently named Archana Nrityalaya.

When asked about her mistakes, Archana shares that one fine day she missed a train along with her students when they were heading for an important competition. She learned from the incident that she needs to be punctual, prompt and alert in life situations.

Speaking of her achievements, Archana shares that seventeen of her students have taken a visharad degree, practicing and learning under her supervision. She won a gold medal at the national level for a competition held in Odisha. Archana is also an international-level gold medalist from a competition that took place in Thailand. She has also won awards for her exceptional choreography skills.

Archana has also started a trust, where people suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases are invited to witness performances and are also offered financial help.Archana was recognised by Zee Marathi for her initiatives on the social front.

Talking about her role models, Archana says she draws inspiration from her mother, who taught her to never give up in life. She also considers her son her strength who helps her on the technological front.

When under stress, Archana remembers God and visits temples to attain some peace.

Archana advises people to have a learning attitude and meet the needs of the time to truly succeed in life.