Popular courses
At KKD, we offer courses in Indian Classical Dance, Contemporary Dance, Yoga, Arts and Crafts, and Martial Arts. Dance is a form of creative expression through rhythmic movements, often set to music, used historically in celebrations and religious ceremonies. Yoga, originating from ancient India, focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Art encompasses a wide range of human activities that involve creative or imaginative expression. Martial arts are traditional combat practices aimed at self-defense, as well as physical, mental, and spiritual development, preserving a nation's cultural heritage.
Our Courses
Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam is a classical dance style of South India that combines artistic expression with a sense of spirituality. There are highly trained dancers who perform precise hand gestures, use intricate footwork, vivid facial expression, and fluid movement.
Bharatanatyam is a dance of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in Southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre written by Bharatamuni. Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions.
It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs or the aramandi, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight principal forms of Indian classical dance. Its origins are attributed to the itinerant bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars (“storytellers”), who conveyed stories from Hindu epics and mythology through a combination of dance, song, and music. The term “Kathak” is derived from the Sanskrit word *katha*, meaning “story,” and *kathakar*, signifying “the one who tells a story”.
Kathak is characterized by its intricate footwork, expressive gestures, and rhythmic precision. The dance form emphasizes storytelling through a combination of graceful movements and elaborate poses, complemented by expressive facial gestures. Over the centuries, Kathak has evolved through various cultural influences, including the Mughal era, which introduced new elements and styles, thereby enriching its repertoire. Today, Kathak remains a dynamic and revered art form, celebrated for its artistic complexity and cultural significance both within India and internationally.
Kuchipidi
Kuchipudi is one of the eight principal forms of Indian classical dance. Originating from the village of Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, this dance form is distinguished by its integration of dance and drama. Its origins are deeply rooted in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text, the Natya Shastra, and it has developed as a religious art form associated with traveling bards, temples, and spiritual beliefs, akin to other major classical dance traditions of India.
Historical evidence of Kuchipudi’s existence can be traced back to copper inscriptions from the 10th century and is further documented in texts such as the Machupalli Kaifat from the 15th century. According to tradition, the modern form of Kuchipudi was founded and systematized in the 17th century by Tirtha Narayana Yati, a sannyasin of the Advaita Vedanta tradition, and his disciple Siddhendra Yogi, an orphan. This dance form is primarily associated with Krishna-oriented Vaishnavism and is also known as Bhagavata Mela in the Thanjavur region.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a genre of dance performance that developed during the mid twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world, With particularly strong popularity in the U.S. and EuropeThe purpose of contemporary dance is to let the dancer express his or her inner emotions to the audience.
The dancer tells a story to the audience, that hopes of making the audience feel an emotion.
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, referred to as Karnāṭaka saṃgīta or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam in South Indian languages, is a classical music tradition predominantly associated with South India, including the contemporary Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
Carnatic music is primarily vocal-centric, with the majority of compositions designed for singing. Even when performed on instruments, these compositions are intended to be rendered in the gāyaki (singing) style, emphasizing the vocal aspects of the music.
Carnatic music is built upon foundational elements including śruti (relative musical pitch), svara (the sound of a single note), rāga (melodic modes), and tala (rhythmic cycles). These elements underpin both improvisation and composition in Carnatic Music.
Samanvaya Natyayoga
Samanvaya Yoga is a holistic center where yoga modules are based on Vedic philosophy, physiology, psychology, and modern science. At Samanvaya Yoga, the focus is on evidence-based practices that anyone can incorporate into their daily life, embodying the principle that “Yoga is a way of life.” In addition to yoga, Samanvay Yoga offers Ayurveda, Marma therapy, yogic counseling, Reiki, and sound healing.
Natya Yoga, a unique practice offered here, combines yoga with music, dance, and meditation. “Natya” refers to movement and music, while “yoga” refers to the practice of the eight guiding principles (ashta anga yoga) that lead to meditation.
With 22 years of experience, Samanvay Yoga provides general yoga and therapy classes tailored to individual needs, as well as yoga certification and therapy courses that explore different aspects of yoga. Ultimately, yoga is an experiential, experimental, and explorative practice.
Martial Arts
Martial arts are physical activities that involve fighting and self-defense skills. They include a variety of techniques like punching, kicking, and grappling. People practice martial arts to improve their fitness, learn self-defense, and sometimes compete in tournaments. Different types of martial arts come from various cultures and often include both physical techniques and mental discipline.
Martial arts can also be a way to build confidence, discipline, and focus. Many martial arts, such as karate, judo, or taekwondo, involve learning specific moves and forms, and they often emphasize respect and self-control. Practicing martial arts regularly helps in developing better coordination and strength, and it can also be a fun way to stay active and meet new people.
Arts & Craft
Art is a diverse range of human activity and its resulting product that involves creative or imaginative talent generally expressive. Arts and crafts describes a wide variety of activities involving making things with one’s own hands. Arts and crafts is usually a hobby.
Both children and adults enjoy arts and crafts. Children in schools may learn skills such as woodworking, wood carving, sewing, or making things with all sorts of material.
