Meet Anvita Sharma | Kathak Artist and Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anvita Sharma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anvita, how do you think about risk?
What was the thought process behind starting your own business?
I started teaching part time 18 years ago because my Guru Rachana Upadhyay (who I was learning Kathak from) encouraged me to. At that time, I really didn’t know if I had it in me to lead a class of my own, but after some thought, I decided I wanted to help pass Kathak on to the next generation. I was also a full time nurse, and over the years my classes grew in numbers by word of mouth, as did my passion for Kathak. I opened a couple more branches of my guru’s school and was putting every ounce of my energy into the classes. After 15 years of juggling both teaching and working as an RN, I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about Kathak and needed to make this a full time career! In 2022, I resigned from my stable nursing career at the County of Orange, and opened up my own school, Nrityanvita Kathak Academy. It was a risk! But an exciting one, so I told myself if I couldn’t make it work after a year, I could always go back to nursing. But I never looked back.

What’s the one thing about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The majority of people think teaching an Indian classical art form is easy, that you have a lot more time on your hands, a lot of flexibility and only work in the evenings. In fact, I myself thought I would have a lot more free time when I went into this full-time because most of my classes were in the evenings and weekends. But to be successful, this is anything but true.

Though my group classes are on weekday evenings and weekends, I have one-on-one privates scattered throughout the week during the day, and a ton of admin duties. I need large chunks of time to plan, conceptualize themes for shows, choreograph, and practice what I’m teaching because at any given point, I’m probably juggling 15 to 20 different choreographies. There are so many events our students perform in year round, and during busy seasons we often have multiple events in one week. All of these events mean additional rehearsals, advanced planning, deadlines to submit music, song descriptions etc. Our annual recital is the most time-consuming as the work is year round and requires extensive planning – from finding a theater, to designing and ordering costumes, designing the program booklet, lighting, musician rehearsals and so on.

Unless you have a large team, most artistic directors of Kathak schools handle all administrative tasks such as scheduling classes, budgeting, collecting and logging in payments, marketing, sending out notes and videos for students to practice, fundraising, applying for grants, and doing community outreach. We also have to continuously work on professional development and stay current with the times. I enjoy it, but it requires a lot of sacrifice. It would be much more manageable with 2 additional full time staff members to handle all these tasks, but even with a successful academy, there is not enough revenue to cover full time employees.

Risk taking: How do you think about risk, what role has taken risks playing in your life/career?

I am not someone who makes rash decisions, I really think things through and weigh the pros and cons before I make a big decision. If the decision involves a significant risk, I need to have a certain amount of confidence or data to support my decision, along with a back up plan. I also always talk things out with a select few close to me to consider other angles, and then I go with my intuition.

Most people have commented that I took a big risk quitting my stable County job as an RN to become a Kathak dance teacher. I did take a pay cut, lost all my benefits and a lot of my social life since my classes are held when most people are out of their 8-to-5 jobs. But it’s the best decision I’ve made and I couldn’t be happier. I think a lot of it also has to do with believing in yourself, because if you don’t think you can do it, who else will?

Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
There are many things, but one of the most important things I’ve done is goal setting. I am goal oriented, and don’t take anything for granted and consequently work hard every waking minute. The volume of goals I often have are over ambitious, so although I rarely feel caught up with my work, the goals I set for myself keep me on my toes seven days a week. But my ‘school of thought” is, if I don’t try and improve a little bit every day, I won’t grow.

What is the most important factor behind your success/ the success of your brand?
Again, I think there are many things, but students have told me they like the structured learning my school offers. I’m a planner so I plan ahead and communicate with students about expectations well enough in advance so there are no surprises. I try and maintain a standard of professionalism that the western community expects (which may be different than how this dance form has been taught in India) while being innovative when needed. I push each and every student to do their best and show them how to compete with themselves, not with anyone else to ensure they are growing in their art form every day. When they see the changes in themselves, their satisfaction encourages them to want to keep learning and growing. On a personal level, I also have a good relationship with every single student and try my best to make them feel seen. I feel a connection with them from our very first conversation, and many students have told me they feel the same towards me. Some have shared that the connection they feel is why they decided to learn from me, and others stay because they appreciate the attention I give to each detail.

What’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
Resigning from my nursing career. I thought about it seriously for two full years before I took a leap of faith. And I think when I finally made the decision, that was the right time. I’m glad I didn’t do it sooner

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
This is something I’m still working on! I’ve always juggled many jobs or projects all at once, I believe I’m built that way because when I finish a big project and think I have more free time, I always have a long list of other projects waiting for me. But in the midst of my often crazy schedule, I’ve maintained a pretty lengthy morning routine which includes meditation, warm lemon water, a daily journal of positive affirmations, gratitude, 3 powerful mantras, strength training workouts and practice of my art form. This list is nonnegotiable and I don’t feel complete without it all. After becoming a full-time Dance Teacher, I’ve kept this routine, but have a very limited social life as my schedule doesn’t allow for it most days. I feel balanced most of the time, but I’m still working on finding more time to rest.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you / what do you like about it?
There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.
–Vicki Baum

This resonates with me because when I’m dancing, it requires me to focus my mind and body while emoting expressions, synchronizing to the music and creating music with the bells on my feet. I don’t have the time or opportunity to think about any of my personal problems or worries as I have to be 100% present. I feel amazing when I’m done, so dancing is definitely a shortcut to happiness for me.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
At first, it was a dream I thought I would never realize. But when I was finally called to it, I couldn’t ignore the feeling any longer and I felt I had no choice but to go forward with it. An exciting choice, indeed.

What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?
My greatest wish is to be remembered by the positive impact I had on lives and someone who built a strong, inclusive community. Beyond being a good instructor, I aimed to bring people together, and was someone who changed lives through this dance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Kathak is an ancient classical dance from North India, with origins more than 5000 years old. It began as a form of storytelling through mime and dance, but has evolved into a complex rhythmic art form, requiring a deep understanding of music. It involves knowledge and execution of mathematical patterns, builds stamina, improves concentration, and transports audiences to a different era.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It depends on who the guest is, but if the guest had similar interests as I do, I would take them to as many vegan restaurants as we could fit in.

Some of my favorite restaurants:
Pura Vita- Italian in WeHo
Vegan By El Zamarano- Mexican in Costa Mesa
Seabirds- Cafe in Costa Mesa
Doomies- late night junk food
Little Ethiopia- Berbere or Rahel’s for Ethiopian food
Wild Living food- amazing raw vegan in DTLA
Follow your heart- grocery and cafe in Canoga Parl
Crossroads Kitchen- Mediterranean and Italian in WeHo
Gracias Madre- Mexican in WeHo
Planta- Marina Del Rey

Drink- I don’t drink anymore, but
Javier’s Newport Beach
Beelman’s in DTLA
The Roosevelt Hotel- Culver City

Hang:
Mt Wilson hike in Sierra Madre (amazing!)
West Hollywood at night
The Grove
Ecstatic Dance LA Sundays at the beach (silent dance with headphones)
Old Town Pasadena
Venice Beach

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Guru Rachana Upadhyay. She has always encouraged and supported my growth. She has been not just a mentor, but also a friend.

Website: https://www.anvitasharma.com

Instagram: @anvitasharma.kathak

Linkedin: Anvita Sharma

Facebook: Anvita Sharma

Youtube: Anvita Sharma, @nursemantis

Image Credits
The first and second images are by Butalia Media.