Devoted for the promotion of Kathak, Dr. Nandkishore has performed all over the world. A disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj, he has been in the Kathak field for the last 50 years. He created many ballets and did various workshops, both nationally and internationally.

A disciple of the famed Pt. Birju Maharaj, Dr. Nandkishore Bhaskar Kapote is a Kathak Guru in Pune.  He has spent the last fifty years working in this field. He was the first student ever to complete a Ph.D. in Kathak in Maharashtra.

Reminiscing about his early years, Dr. Nandkishore shares that he was raised in Maharashtra and began dancing at the age of three, which subsequently stoked his love for classical dance. He enjoyed listening to semi-classical music and used to choreograph the dances himself when he was younger. Because of his grandfather's transferable job, he finished his schooling in different towns and cities.

Speaking about his journey, Dr. Nandkishore states that he travelled to Pune when he was in the eighth grade and decided to enrol in a dancing academy. After meeting Pt. Gopi Krishna at his dance school, he made the decision to learn Kathak from him. Munna Lal Shukla and Prabha Marathe ran a Kathak centre where he obtained his diploma and degree. In addition, he also earned his B.com degree.

He remembers when he was called to Delhi for an interview for the award of a national scholarship by the Government of India. There, he was interviewed by prominent dance luminaries such as Padma Vibhushan Kumudini Lakhia, Pt. Mohanrao Kallianpurkar, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Padma Shri Damayanti Joshi, and Pt. Birju Maharaj. After the interview, he returned to Pune and gave up on getting selected as only two students were to be selected. However, he received the selection letter two or three months later, and  was ecstatic for the same.

Later, he went to Delhi to study for a master's degree in Kathak at the Kathak Kendra, where Pt. Birju Maharaj was the instructor. While he was receiving instruction from Pt. Birju Maharaj, he participated in several ballets (dance dramas). Additionally, he performed in several national and international shows alongside well-known dancers such as Padma Shri Shovana Narayan and Padma Bhushan Uma Sharma.

In 1984, he returned to Maharashtra with his guru's words, "As long as you have 'ghungroo' on your feet, I am with you." He subsequently founded his own dancing school in order to promote Kathak.  His academy was inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, which was a very proud moment for him. Pt. Birju Maharaj also contacted him for the India Festival  in Russia after some time.

Later, he was hired by Pune University's Lalit Kala Kendra as a dance guru. He composed several ballets using the techniques he had picked up from Pt. Birju Maharaj; his first ballet was based on Bal Gandharva. He has conducted a number of workshops both in India and abroad. Through his seminars, he also gave his pupils the chance to study Kathak from many prominent dancers. He has choreographed in several Hindi and Maharashtrian movies.

Sharing his COVID experience, Dr. Nandkishore mentions that he had an opportunity to study dance from Pt. Birju Maharaj over the internet throughout the pandemic. He had a great time during that time and picked up some new Kathak movements from his guru. He says he was also instructed by Pt. Birju Maharaj during his final days.

Speaking about his difficulties, Dr. Nandkishore states that he encountered several obstacles when he intended to pursue a PhD in Kathak, as no university offered this degree programme. Later, he travelled to Tilak University and asked to pursue a PhD there. Fortunately, he was given the opportunity to finish his doctorate under the supervision of his PhD advisor, Pt. Birju Maharaj, who is also his guru.

Dr. Nandkishore talks about his accomplishments and how he taught a 76-year-old man Kathak, which led to his name being added to the Limca Book of World Records. In addition, in 2004, he was awarded the Maharashtra State Cultural Award, in 2010 with the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit Mitra Award, and in 2014 with the Bal Gandharva Award. His selection for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is his greatest accomplishment.

When asked how he relieves stress, he responds by saying that he enjoys dancing and doing riyaz to relieve stress. He feels that dancing fuels his desire to work harder and gives him energy.