The East- West School of Dance started in 1981 and over the years it has grown beautifully and branched out into other successful centers in Monroe, Queen, Long Island, Poughkeepsie and New Jersey. There are over 60 students receiving Kathak training at different levels under the esteemed guidance of Pandit Satya Narayana Charka. The students have the opportunity to perform frequently for large audiences at many venues in the US.

The School has been sponsoring guest artists like Dr. Maya Rao & Madhu Nataraj directors from Natya Institue of Kathak & Choreography, Bangalore, India for performances, workshops and seminars.Kathak students had a special treat in the past few summers when the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj from New Delhi, India visited Ananda Ashram accompanied by the extradinary talented Saswati Sen and Mahua Shankar.

Our Master Teacher Pandit Satya Narayan Charka has received International acclaim for his dance- drama productions using themes from Indian mythology.

Ramayana

This dance-drama on the epic story of the Ramayana has held audiences spellbound by creating a magical storyworld of bright colors, enchanting live music by Shankar Shanbhogue, lyrical dances and captivating production multimedia. EWSD has presented Ramayana as an open air event at the Ananda Ashram for almost 30 consecutive years.The Metropolitan Museum , NYC has held scintillating , vibrant shows in the past 4 years . Over thirty ethnically- diverse members of the East-West School of Dance and Ananda Ashram were part of the cast. The production also consisted of 19 EWSD dancers. Houston, South Street Seaport are few of the many other venues where the Ramayana troupe enchanted the audience. A special DVD commemorated the 25th anniversary celebrations of EWSD.

MET museum press review:

*I’m writing to express our sincerest thanks for your fantastic Diwali program! ( Ramayana - 2013) Our guests were so pleased with the performance and we hope you were as well…. Thank you for sharing your rich cultural heritage with our visitors.

Best, Donna Williams --- The Metropolitan Museum of Art

*"From the elegant Rama, waif-like beauty Sita, fiery villain Ravana, ardent kings, jeweled queens, feathered costumes, and the clinkering ghungroos of classical dancers, last Saturday’s dance drama was a full-fledged artistic production of the Ramayana."MET museum press review: "From the elegant Rama, waif-like beauty Sita, fiery villain Ravana, ardent kings, jeweled queens, feathered costumes, and the clinkering ghungroos of classical dancers, last Saturday’s dance drama was a full-fledged artistic production of the Ramayana."

Shakuntala

Shakuntala is a Sanskrit musical dance-drama which brilliantly interweaves love, romance, tragedy, sorrow and reunion, seen through the wisdom of the poet Kalidas. Shakuntala in North Indian Kathak style is unique, the first of its kind to be brought out in the USA. International talents have contributed to this one-of-a-kind production: Dr. Maya Rao, director of NIKC in India, who was a consultant for the Russian Ballet of Shakuntala, is a main source in the creation of this production. Also, legendary Kathak Master Pandit Birju Maharaj has developed and guided unique choreography patterns, building final crescendos into the production.

Krishna leela

A colorful presentation of the stories of Krishna from Indian mythology, performed in classical Indian Kathak style. EWSD students perform the Krishnaleela each year at the Ananda Ashram on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janamashtami. In the past years, organizations in Washington DC, Poughkeepsie and Philadelphia honored us by inviting to perform.

Who is who ?

This highly symbolic mythological story taken from the Kena Upanishad is presented as a multimedia production combining modern dance, ballet, Kathak dance and a chorus with special effects.

Gangavataran

The theme of this dance-drama is the human struggle to bring the celestial river Ganga from heaven down to earth, for the betterment of the entire human race. The music is orchestrated by renowned composer and sitar artist from India, Mr. Rash Behari Datta. Directed and choreographed by Pdt SN Charka, this production has been enthralling audiences at the Ananda Ashram for many years.