Kargi Kala Kendra

Kargi Kala Kendra was established by Sudha Kargi in 2010 to propagate the
aspects of Bharatanatyam (a genre of Indian classical dance)  and to nurture students’ natural desire to dance.  Mother and daughter team Sudha & Sa- hana Kargi like working together to bring their cultural heritage to a wider au- dience.
About Sudha Kargi :  After my move from India to the US, I was excited to ex- plore a new country full of new opportunities.  My very first performance at a local Hindu temple, I was astounded by the response from my community.
Young girls were fascinated by the bright costume, fast beats, and intricate poses. After my performance, many were eager to show me the steps they remembered and get my feedback. A few weeks later, I started teaching. It was then I discovered students’ natural desire to dance and I vowed to be a
facilitator rather than a teacher. Through teaching, I rediscovered my love for Bharatanatyam and thus a new sense of self. The students’ pride after they master a difficult step, eagerness to learn a new dance or excitement after a performance serves as constant a reminder for why I chose to become a
guru.
About Sahana Kargi : As a second generation Indian, I have always felt a desire to connect with my heritage. Growing up in America, I was deprived the tradi- tional Indian upbringing. We never had holidays for Holi or fireworks for Diwa- li. I am grateful to have discovered Bharatanatyam so young and always have a tether pulling me back to my mother country. While I do regret not having the same understanding of my culture as a native, I realize that I am in a very unique position. I understand the struggles of pursuing something those around you don’t understand. I hope to use my experiences to inspire others to pursue their passions and to introduce Bharatanatyam to a wider audience.
I hope to continue Bharatanatyam’s legacy through modern mediums to a new generation while still maintaining its authenticity.