A Shringar Mani Awardee, Dr. Samiksha honed her art under the tutelage of distinguished gurus, garnering accolades and securing international teaching assignments through the ICCR. Her selection as a guru at Delhi Kathak Kendra further solidified her expertise.
Dr. Samiksha Sharma is a Kathak Dancer and Guru at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. She also has her own dance academy named Guru Shri Kundan Lal Gangani Sangeet Dance Academy in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad.
Her passion for the dance form took her from being a curious child in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to a renowned teacher and performer in Delhi. Though she holds a Master's Degree in Political Science, her heart belonged to the world of Kathak.
Samiksha's artistic journey began in her youth. Drawn to the enchanting sounds emanating from a nearby Kathak school, she yearned to learn the dance form. Her initial training began with her first guru, Mrudusara Bhagwat. A turning point came when she witnessed a performance by a student from the esteemed Delhi Kathak Kendra. Inspired, Samiksha set her sights on joining this prestigious academy.
In 2001, Dr. Samiksha's unwavering determination led her to Delhi and she honed her skills under the guidance of the renowned Kathak maestro, Guru Shri Rajendra Gangani of the Jaipur Gharana.
After five years of dedicated practice, Dr. Samiksha's talent earned her an opportunity to share her knowledge. Through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), she taught Kathak at the Uzbekistan embassy for four years. Her dedication was further recognized in 2017 when she was selected as a Guru at the Delhi Kathak Kendra.
For Dr. Samiksha, Kathak is more than just a profession; it's a passion that brings immense peace and fulfilment to her. She acknowledges the challenges faced by artists, particularly the financial limitations. However, she emphasises that Kathak, like any art form, offers much more than material wealth – it's a source of inner joy and expression.
Marriage presented a new obstacle for Samiksha. In a society that doesn't always value artistic pursuits, especially for women, continuing her dance career was met with scepticism. Yet, she persevered.
Looking back, Dr. Samiksha considers her journey itself a significant achievement. From her humble beginnings in a lower-middle-class family, she has become a respected Kathak dancer which is an accomplishment. She finds immense pride in her growth as a person, the unwavering support of her family, and the privilege of learning from exceptional gurus. Her dedication has been acknowledged through various accolades such as the Shringar Mani award, a national scholarship, and selection for the ICCR program. She has performed extensively, with a recent stage performance at the Meghdoot event organised by the Sangeet Natak Academy.
Dr. Samiksha acknowledges a misstep in her journey. In 2013, after returning from Russia, she moved to Gwalior. However, she soon realised that the artistic environment there wasn't conducive to her growth. The period from 2005 to 2009 was particularly challenging.
Despite the hurdles, Dr. Samiksha's resilience shone through. She gradually gained recognition and established her own dance institute. Ultimately, she decided to return to Delhi, a city that offered greater opportunities for learning and artistic exchange.
Beyond dance, Dr. Samiksha finds solace in gardening, cooking, and writing poetry. However, dance remains her greatest source of stress relief.
Dr. Samiksha Sharma is deeply grateful for the guidance of her gurus. She finds inspiration in her mother, who instilled in her the importance of balancing personal and professional life.
To aspiring Kathak dancers, Samiksha offers a powerful message: live in the present, focus on consistent practice, and success will inevitably follow. Mastery in this art form is a lifelong pursuit; dedication and continuous learning are the keys to artistic evolution.
