Often it is said that harnessing one's inherent instincts and talents paves the way for unprecedented
happiness and success. This belief perfectly encapsulates the journey of Karan Jodhani - a
remarkably talented dancer who has transformed his passion into his profession. Having received a
formal education and held positions at several reputable corporate firms, Karan decided to pursue
his lifelong passion - Dance, a craft he began exploring in early childhood.
Setting sail on his dance voyage, this creatively inclined Piscean enrolled at a dance academy in his
hometown, Bhopal. Along with his academics, he opened a dance workshop named 'Akarshan' to
share his talent with a wider audience. His natural curiosity and ability to multitask spurred him to
further nurture his skills in folk dancing and Kathak under revered dance gurus - Late Shri. Sarju
Mohan Maharaja and Ms. Anjali Baijal. After achieving a Senior Diploma in Kathak from Prayag
Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad, Karan honed his expertise in 18 Indian folk dances, including the likes of
Garba, Dandiya, Bhangra, Gidda, Tera Taali, and Bhavai, among others.
Over time, Karan's captivating dance prowess led him to perform on an array of stages, both at state
and national levels. His impeccable performances helped him secure numerous accolades and
awards.
Karan Jodhani, driven by a burning desire to excel in his career, transitioned from working as a
correspondent for a Hindi news channel to leading roles in reputable Public Relations and Media
Consulting enterprises in Mumbai. In this bustling city of opportunities, Karan expanded his dance
repertoire, becoming certified as a Zumba Instructor, Pound Knockout Instructor, and Yoga
Instructor. Under the guidance of renowned Kathak guru Dr. Smt. Manjari Deo and Naren Patil for
Contemporary dance, Karan's unwavering passion led him to establish three highly acclaimed dance
brands: Happiness Dance Fit®, Folk Innovation®, and Shaadi Swagger®.
Karan's solo Kathak and semi-classical performances have captivated audiences, creating an ethereal
atmosphere of delight. His exemplary Kathak recitals, including Vishnu Vandana, Shiva Tandava, and
Ganesh Vandana, have garnered widespread acclaim. One distinguishing feature of Karan's
performances is his innovative fusion of Kathak and modern contemporary dance forms, showcasing
his artistic vision and desire to explore the unexplored.
Karan has organized folk dance workshops and other semiclassical dance workshops in Mumbai at
various known dance studios. He has been featured in Bombay Times, Mumbai Mirror, Midday,
Hindustan Times – Mumbai, Navbharat Times, and many other leading news dailies and magazines.
Karan is one of the rare dancers in the urban Mumbai area who has a thorough knowledge of folk
dances. Not only does he possess knowledge, but he also performs, choreographs, and promotes
them. He has imparted theoretical and practical knowledge of folk dance by conducting various
workshops in cities across Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Indore, and Ahmedabad. As he often says,
"Folk Dances are the real gems of our country." He has delivered numerous lectures on the origin
and significance of folk dances. Additionally, he has served as a judge in esteemed national folk
dance competitions such as Mood Indigo - (an annual college fest of IIT – Bombay) and Malhaar (St.
Xavier's College fest). Karan has also created authentic folk dance choreographies, some of which
can be viewed on his YouTube channel (only selected choreo videos have been uploaded)
He was the judge for ‘Jhankriti’ – the biggest online dance competition organized by World Forum
for Art and Culture (WFAC) in Folk Dance competition category. Where he judged folk dance entries
from all over the country. He truly believes that folk dances bring people and community together
and creates the power of the ‘Sangha’ ‘coming together’. These were the only dance forms that have
been part of or are from the start of human civilization since its start on planet Earth. He has
consistently collaborated with major media outlets to spread awareness of folk dancing through
online channels. He has also organized offline and online workshops for Navbharat Times's customer
outreach programme, ‘NBT Rangmanch’. Over the course of more than four years, he has recorded
folk dance choreography videos for the YouTube account of the prominent Hindi women's magazine
‘Meri Saheli’.
Dance and music are thought to be sacred paths leading us into the presence of the divine. Dancing
in praise of the Almighty harmonizes rhythm and melody into a profound form of reverent worship.
The role of a dancer transcends the confines of mere entertainment, evolving instead into a medium
for expressing their devout adoration for the divine.
Surveying the corridors of history, we find that the era preceding the 10th century is often classified
as the period of temple dance traditions. Serving as a golden epoch for Nata's, Kathakaars, and
storytellers, these individuals were inextricably linked to numerous temples and religious bastions. It
was within these sanctified halls that they disseminated spiritual enlightenment, using their
devotional dance as a powerful medium for divine connection.
Karan's performances embody the essence of temple dancers. He has been dancing in religious
ceremonies and temples for quite some time now, thus taking ahead the legacy and tradition of
mandir prampara. He incorporates Kathak storytelling and various folk dances in his performances,
accompanied by bhajans, kirtans, mantra pushpanjalis, and other forms of praise to the Lord. His
performances have been well-received in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad, and Vapi.