With over 34 years of experience, Dr. Ruchi is a renowned Kathak exponent committed to perfection in her career. Recognized as an 'A' grade artist by Doordarshan and an empaneled artist of the ICCR, she has graced prestigious stages worldwide. She has been the recipient of awards like the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi award,  the Nrityakar-e-Awadh Award, and the Sanaskar Bharti Ratna Samman.

Dr. Ruchi Khare is a Kathak Dancer, Guru, and Choreographer based in Lucknow. She began learning Kathak at the age of nine and has continued to learn and perform the dance since then.

Born and raised in Lucknow, she received her education and dance training in her hometown itself. Her passion for dance grew as she watched dance programs on television, which prompted her parents to enroll her in Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.

Dr. Ruchi reminisces about her childhood spent in a lively atmosphere, with her family's deep love for music shaping her early years. Encouraged by her parents, she balanced her dance practice with her education. Her parents desired for her to excel in both academics and extracurricular activities, which she did. However, she remained dedicated to dancing.

Dr. Ruchi shares her remarkable dance journey, which began at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya under the tutelage of her first gurus, Srimati Deepa Deva and Guru (Lt.) Subhash Dixit, where she achieved her Nritya Visharad. Continuing her pursuit of excellence, she completed her Nritya Nipuna under the guidance of guru Dr. Purnima Pande, and embraced the guru-shishya parampara tradition.

Immersing herself in the world of Kathak, She accompanied her guru on various occasions, enriching her personality and gaining invaluable practical experience. Trained in both the Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas, she has been gracing the stage with her performances since 1990, often practicing and performing in collaboration with renowned tabla player Pt. Ravinath Mishra.

Despite excelling in academics and topping her university post-graduation in Statistics, she opted to pursue her true passion for dance and teaching. She qualified for the UGC NET exam and received an offer from Banasthali Vidyapith, where she began her teaching career. Later, she was posted at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Lucknow, where she has been teaching Kathak for the past 17 years.

Dr. Ruchi attributes her success in her dance journey to the invaluable guidance of her guru, whose influence has shaped her path and fueled her dedication to Kathak. She acknowledges the support of her family, who wholeheartedly embraced her passion for dance, making her career path smoother. She feels fortunate that her ideas resonated with her family's beliefs, eliminating major obstacles to pursuing her dreams.

Recalling her early years as a dancer, she admits to harboring ambitious aspirations, desiring to expand her horizons through performances beyond her city. However, with time, she recognized the value of connecting with a prestigious institute, where she could not only advance her career but also share her knowledge and experience with aspiring students.

Dr. Ruchi proudly recounts her numerous achievements, highlighting her excellence both in academics and the arts. As a gold medalist in MA (Statistics), she was honored with the Chancellor's Medal from Lucknow University. Recognized as a Doordarshan 'A' graded artist and an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)-empanelled artist, she has received state and national scholarships, along with a prestigious junior research fellowship.

Her artistic endeavors have taken her to esteemed platforms across India and abroad, including the Taj Mahotsav, the Lucknow Mahotsav, the Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, and the Kathak Festival in Jaipur. Her performances at venues like the India Habitat Center, Gorakhpur University Convocation, Rashtriya Kathak Sansthan, and Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya have garnered widespread acclaim.

She has been honored at the Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan and received esteemed awards such as the 2014 UP Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Nrityakar-e-Awadh Award, and the Sanaskar Bharti Ratna Samman. Her performances and choreographies have consistently captivated audiences, earning her widespread recognition and admiration.

Realizing the transformative power of Kathak, Dr. Ruchi discovered how it elevated her from an average student to a top performer. This realization inspired her to pursue a PhD on the "Scope of Kathak Dance as a Healing Therapy (with a special focus on acupressure)." Collaborating with her co-guides, she developed Kathak Dance Therapy, a unique approach that complements conventional medication.

Dr. Ruchi's groundbreaking therapy has shown promising results in treating conditions like fibromyalgia when combined with proper medication. She firmly believes in the symbiotic relationship between Kathak and meditation, viewing them as essential tools for stress relief and holistic well-being.

Dr. Ruchi's unwavering commitment to excellence drives her to harness her full potential and strive for perfection in all her endeavors, serving as her guiding principle for success.

When asked about her role models, she acknowledges the influence of various individuals throughout her life but holds Shovana Narayan, the renowned Kathak dancer and former IAS officer, in the highest regard.

In her leisure time, she enjoys updating her general awareness and indulging in her love for music.

Offering advice to the younger generation, Dr. Ruchi emphasizes the bright prospects awaiting aspiring dancers. She encourages them to maintain consistency and nurture their talent with dedication and quality, assuring them that success is within reach with persistence.