About
A Pittsburgh home for Indian dance
Founded in 2004 by Varun Mahajan and Sonia Mahajan under the guidance of Guru Beeru Pawar ji.
Guiding Star Productions, the Indian classical as well as folk dance school situated in Pittsburgh, is a testimony to the passion and sincerity that Varun and Sonia feel towards Indian dance. Started in the year 2004 by Varun and Sonia Mahajan under the able guidance of their dance guru Biru Pawar ji, this dance school is striving to create a special niche in educating, promoting, and garnering appreciation for Indian dance forms in North America.
Guiding Star Productions desires not only to rekindle the love and acceptance for Indian dance within the Indian diaspora but also to attract American students to have a feel of it.
The hard work of Varun and Sonia Mahajan has borne fruit, with students joining to experience, learn, and embrace Indian dance. Students joining the program are between 5 to 60 years in age. What they share is enthusiasm and passion to understand, learn, and accept the Indian dance forms taught in the school.
Curriculum
The dances taught here
The curriculum is varied enough to incorporate the best dance forms Indian culture has to offer: Kathak following the Benaras gharana; Punjabi Bhangra and Gidha; Dandiya; Rajasthani Ghoomar and Kalbelia; Bollywood film dance; and fusion and semi-classical forms.
Under the supervision of Sonia and Varun, the school specializes in providing a 4 year degree in Kathak, with an option of extending it a further 2 years in pursuit of a Masters degree in Kathak.
These degrees comply with the courses and syllabus followed by known and reputed dance universities in India. The Master’s degree is also called Rang Pravesham, which allows the Kathak student to demonstrate solo performances to the audience.
Studio
Private lessons
Guiding Star Productions also specializes in providing private dance lessons to students wanting to learn a particular dance form not generally included in the curriculum, for a special function, occasion, or event.
Students
Students joining the program are between 5 to 60 years in age.
Community
In the community
- 01Performances in Indian gatherings and cultural events in the area, including festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Lohri, and Ugadi.
- 02Performances at American events, including Indian folk festivals and the Community College of Allegheny.
- 03Performances at multicultural events in the region.
June
Annual Dance Recital
The grandest and most awaited function of Guiding Star Productions is its Annual Dance Recital, an annual event in the month of June. This event provides a platform for all its students to showcase their dancing talent.
Contact
Visit the school
Guiding Star Productions teaches in Pittsburgh’s North Hills and South Hills. Write or call using the details published on the existing website.