Youth Voices - Neema Sakariya Interview
Neema Sakariya began studying Kathak in 2014 at Pandit Chitresh Das’ original institution, Chhandam, and continued at the Chitresh Das Institute and was a student at its first session in 2017. She then joined the Youth Company in 2019. Neema will be performing in “Aarambh”, showcasing the elements of the most traditional, rich, and challenging form of kathak, the kathak solo. She will share the stage with her guru-behen Pakhi Gupta on July 26, 2025 at 5pm at College of San Mateo Theater.
Training for the this performance is intense. Though it requires nowhere near the challenge and skill needed for a full kathak solo in the style/gharana of Pandit Chitresh Das, it is always a formidable challenge, guided by the guru, to even to just dip one’s feet (quite literally) into this powerful tradition. The dancers are also fortunate to perform with brilliant musicians: Ben Kunin - on sarod, Nilan Chaudhuri - on tabla, Saneyee Purandare Bhattacharjee - on vocals, Narendra Joshi - on harmonium, Guru Charlotte Moraga - Artistic Director and padhant. Limited tickets are available, please contact info@chitreshdasinstitute.org with any requests.
Q: What do you want people to know about your kathak journey?
Neema: What initially pulled me into kathak was how beautiful of an art form it is. Seeing older members of the Youth Company hit countless chakkars had me in awe at age 7, and really motivated me to continue kathak. However, I would not be who I am today as a dancer and person without the many, many people who believed in and supported me. From my intro classes with Preeti didi, to intermediate classes with Anita didi, to YC with Charlotte didi, Asavari didi, and Vanita didi, as well as the other amazing teachers in the Advanced Adults class, I am lucky to be guided by community of strong women as role models. I’m also so grateful for my fellow Youth Company members, who have inspired and taught me how to push myself and my dance technique. While kathak dance is very meaningful to me, it’s the community that I found through it that I value just as much.
Q: What is it like working with Charlotte Didi to prepare for your graduating showcase?
Neema: Working with Charlotte Didi has been intense, in a good way. After this past school show, the next thing on my mind was the showcase, and I was intimidated by the thought of learning and performing an entire show in less than 10 weeks. However, Charlotte Didi has been a great point of support throughout the process. Her vast knowledge and incredible dance skills constantly leave me in awe.
One moment that really stuck with me was as Charlotte didi was guiding me through the process of putting together my thaat—she showed how to make one pose flow fluidly into the next and how the smallest nuances can really transform a piece. Through this process, she’s taught me that there’s so much more to performing than just remembering steps—it’s about technique, expression, and refinement at every level. I am extremely fortunate to have this level of training under Charlotte didi.
Q: Do you remember a moment or a time when you decided you wanted to pour your heart into learning kathak?
Neema: I remember this happening at the end of a school show in elementary school, before I joined YC. Around 8:30pm, as I was leaving for the day, I was hit with a sudden, deep sadness despite all of the excitement and joy of school show day. The thought of not having class, seeing my friends, or hearing manjira playing for an entire summer brought me to tears. That was the moment I knew that kathak wasn’t just a cool activity for me, but that I wanted to continue it for a long time.
Q: How has what you've done and learned in kathak impacted your day-to-day life?
Neema: One of the most important things when performing is to carry mistakes with grace. Charlotte didi always reminds us that it’s not the mistakes themselves that matter—mistakes are unavoidable, even for the most seasoned dancers. Rather, it’s the way you react to the mistake that matters. Did you let the mistake fluster you on stage, or did you embrace it as part of the choreography? I’ve applied this mindset beyond dance as well—in life, it’s not the situation that defines you, but how you choose to respond to it.
Q: What is something that you have discovered through dance that you would like to share?
Neema: It’s not always an easy journey—there have been several stages in my kathak journey where taking a step back from dance seemed like the easiest option. However, perseverance is so, so important, and I am incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had from my parents, teachers, and friends in urging me to continue.
I’m happy to say some of my best friends and core experiences have been made in kathak. Regardless of where my dance journey takes me, I know that kathak will always be a part of me. Even now, I often find myself subconsciously running through parts of a tarana while I’m driving or singing the nagma of teentaal while taking a test!
Q: What is one thing about learning kathak that you think people should know?
Neema: Kathak is a very rich and expansive dance form—there’s pure dance (nritt), which includes the signature footwork and chakkars, but also storytelling (abhinaya) and spirituality through vandanas. Because of the variety, kathak is so much harder and complex than you would expect! The moves you see on stage are the product of hours and hours of practice. It isn’t just about dancing to the music, but really having a very deep understanding of taal, tihais, nagmas, and your own dancing technique. Even with pieces you’ve done many times before, there is always space to grow.
Q: What is next for you, what are you most excited about doing?
Neema: I will be studying neuroscience at the University of Rochester in upstate New York. I am very excited to be in a fully new environment and to meet so many new people!
Q: If you were to send a message of advice to your 10 year old self, what would you tell her?
Neema: Don’t slouch! Posture was definitely a struggle for me at that age. But more importantly, I would tell her to believe in herself—to be more confident and more willing to try new experiences and meet new people. She can do so much more than she thinks she can. With faith in herself, she can do anything she sets her mind to. On the day of the show, I want to dance fearlessly to not only make her proud, but all of the countless people who’ve shaped my formative years.
“Aarambh” featuring Neema Sakariya and Pakhi Gupta in their Youth Company Graduating Showcase,
July 26, 2025 at 5pm at College of San Mateo Theater
Brilliant Musicians: Ben Kunin - on sarod, Nilan Chaudhuri - on tabla, Saneyee Purandare Bhattacharjee - on vocals, Narendra Joshi - on harmonium, Guru Charlotte Moraga - Artistic Director and padhant.
Limiited tickets available, please contact info@chitreshdasinstitute.org with any requests.