Ashwani Nigam is a gifted Kathak dancer and teacher, the founder of a leading dance school “Tarang'"(http://www.indiandance.ru), active member of “Nritya Sabha” Foundation.

He started learning tabla (an Indian percussion instrument) when he was seven years old.

His first teacher Late Shri Fakir Chand Mathur invited him to learn Kathak Dance after feeling his ambition to learn dance. He Passed Prabhakar Degree in Tabla from Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad (http://www.allahabadinfo.com/prayag_sangit_samiti.html) in 1980 in first division and Kathak dance in 1981 also first division with distinction in Practical Examination in both subjects.

He has also done diploma course in North Indian Classical Vocal and Violin side by side his regular Study of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Allahabad Polytechnic.

Although after passing Engineering he joined a Japanese company, he also joined Smt. Shovna Narayan (http://www.shovananarayan.com) and learned art of Kathak choreography for 5 years. He also actively participated in many of her choreographies.

In 1987 he joined Shri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra (http://www.thekendra.com) Delhi under Guru Ram Mohan Maharaj, who is younger son of Late Shri Shambhu Maharaj. He learned Kathak Lucknow style from him for more then 4 years.

In 1992 he joined Kathak Kendra (www.indianetzone.com), Delhi under Guru Munna Shukla. During his 2 years course Pandit Birju Maharaj (http://www.birjumaharaj-kalashram.com), who was chief instructor and head of Kathak Kendra repertoire selected him to work under his capable guidance. Ashwani Nigam was lucky enough to work and learn Kathak under this legendary Kathak exponent. In 4 years of his Kathak Kendra course he performed in number of Pandit Birju Maharaj's choreographies.

In 1996 Ashwani Nigam was selected by Indian Council for Cultural Relations Government of India to represent India and its culture by impart training in Indian cultural Center namely Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center in Moscow. He imparted training of kathak there till December1999.

Since that time until present Ashvani is teaching Kathak dance at his dance school “Tarang”.

+7(495)711-02-93;

+7(906)737-94-76

ashvani21@mail.ru

www.ashwaninigam.com