Youth Voices Series - Featuring Maahi Desai
Maahi Desai is completing her many years of being in the Chitresh Das Youth Company with a Graduating Showcase performance. Maahi will be performing in “Samarpan”, showcasing the elements of the most traditional, rich, and challenging form of kathak, the kathak solo. She perform on August 8, 2026 at 5:30pm at Sunnyvale Community Theater.
Training for 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, it is a journey even to just dip one’s feet (quite literally) into this powerful tradition. Maahi is 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.
Q: What do you want people to know about your kathak journey?
Maahi: I started Kathak when I was four years old, so at that age I honestly didn't have much of a choice, I was just happy to be there. But once I joined Preeti Didi's intro class and learned my first tatkar and little compositions, I started to really enjoy it. As I moved through the levels, I had the opportunity to learn from Asavari Didi, Anita Didi, Vanita Didi, and Charlotte Didi, and I'm so lucky that I'm still learning from all of them today. Now I get to dance alongside them in the Advanced Adults class, which feels like such a full-circle moment. Looking back, it's amazing to see how much each of them has shaped me, not just as a dancer, but as a person.
Q: What is it like working with Charlotte Didi to prepare for your graduating showcase?
Maahi: It's definitely been intense, but in the best way possible. Preparing a solo is so different from learning in Youth Company because every detail is focused on you. One of my favorite parts has been getting to experiment with movements and footwork and seeing how Charlotte Didi builds choreography. I'd come into class with a pretty basic idea, and somehow she'd help transform it into something so much more elegant and expressive. Watching that creative process up close has been one of the coolest parts of this experience. It honestly wouldn’t be possible without Charlotte Didi’s creativity and support.
Q: Do you remember a moment or a time when you decided you wanted to pour your heart into learning kathak?
Maahi: One summer I was preparing to audition for Youth Company. I spent the whole summer practicing the first five Natwari Tihais, trying to perfect my chakkars and make sure my footwork stayed on taal. By the day of the audition, I was so nervous. Then Charlotte Didi asked me, "Which Natwari Tihai is the hardest for you?" Of course... she had me do that one. Somehow I landed it on sum, and the feeling I had afterward was unforgettable. That was the moment I realized I really wanted to keep challenging myself and see how far I could go with kathak.
Q: How has what you've done and learned in kathak impacted your day-to=day life?
Maahi: Kathak has taught me discipline and perseverance more than anything else. This solo especially reminded me that improvement doesn't happen overnight. There were days when I was exhausted or just wanted to take a break, but I'd still practice because I knew I'd thank myself later. My thaat probably took me the longest to perfect, with hours spent everyday trying to land on sum and make every movement feel graceful. It definitely wasn't easy, but it taught me that consistency is what really leads to growth.
Q: What is something that you have discovered through dance that you would like to share?
Maahi: The community has honestly been one of the best parts of my Kathak journey. When I joined Youth Company, I came in by myself while everyone else seemed to already know each other, so I was definitely nervous. But from the very beginning, everyone was so welcoming. The older girls were always willing to help me with choreography or answer questions, and over time they became some of my closest friends. They made rehearsals so much more fun, and they turned the studio into a second home.
Q: What is one thing about learning kathak that you think people should know?
Maahi: I think a lot of people assume Kathak is about how many chakkars you can do or how perfect your technique looks. But one of the biggest things Charlotte Didi has taught us is that Kathak isn't about being perfect. It's about understanding the music and the taal so well that you can improvise and adapt in the moment. That's something that takes years of practice. The goal isn't perfection—it's constantly learning, improving, and becoming more connected to the art form.
Q: What is next for you, what are you most excited about doing?
Maahi: This fall I'll be starting at UC San Diego as a Political Science major. I'm really excited to meet new people, join clubs, and explore different opportunities. I'm also keeping an open mind because college is a chance to discover new interests, so I'm excited to see where that takes me.
Q: If you were to send a message of advice to your 10 year old self, what would you tell her?
Maahi: I'd tell her not to compare herself to anyone else. Everyone starts somewhere, and no one becomes a great dancer overnight. What matters isn't where you start—it's how much you're willing to keep showing up and putting in the work. Every correction, mistake, and class helps you grow. Just trust the process, because it'll all be worth it.
Congratulations to Maahi on achieving this milestone. While only a first step, it is a very important one and we wish her the best and hope she continues on this dance journey and that this legacy support her in all she pursues.