Abhivyakti: A Contemplative Journey of Expression through Kathak Dance

Facilitated by Annu Gupta
December 22 – 28, 2025

“In everything you do, simply work at developing love and compassion until they have become a fundamental part of you.”
— Patrul Rinpoche

About Kathak Dance Form:
Kathak Dance is one of the most ancient forms of Indian Classical Performing Art. It is said to have originated in the temples of North India. Known as the dance of storytellers, Kathak comes from the word ‘Kathakaar’ — the village minstrel who used subtle gestures and movements to enhance the dramatic element of the narrative.
One of the essential features of the dance form is to balance one’s personal emotions and fully embody the characters in a manner of oneness.

About the Workshop:
The primary objective of the 7-day long intensive workshop is to collectively create conditions for each one of us to be able to express our hearts and acknowledge the feelings and emotions that may arise in the process. The theme that has been chosen for the workshop this time is: nurturing compassion in our heart through this beautiful dance form.
The participants shall also be introduced to the basics as well as the technical aspects of the dance form such as footwork, hand movements, mudras, spins — learning about all these intricacies of the dance form shall help us connect and cultivate awareness at each step.
For the same purpose, a choreography will also be prepared together on  Bodhisattva Shantideva’s Aspiration Prayer. The prayer has been translated into Hindi and is available as Bodhi Bhajan, a project by Sidhartha’s Intent. This prayer, full of compassion and boundless wishes for all beings, will be our companion — not as a text to be explained, but as a song to be felt — through sound, silence, and shared presence. This shall give us an opportunity to go deeper into the words of great compassion by Bodhisattva Shantideva by listening to the sound of these words.
Please note that the workshop is not about giving any teachings or commentary on the prayer.

About the Theme for the Workshop: Nurturing Compassion in Our Heart :
The theme of this workshop finds its roots in this deeply moving story by Patrul Rinpoche:
Think of a mother with no arms, whose child is being swept away by a river. How unbearable the anguish of such a mother would be. Her love for her child is so intense, but as she cannot use her arms, she cannot catch hold of him.
“What can I do now? What can I do?” she asks herself. Her only thought is to find some means of saving him. Her heart breaking, she runs along after him, weeping.
In exactly the same way, all beings of the three worlds are being carried away by the river of suffering to drown in the ocean of Samsara. However unbearable the compassion we feel, we have no means of saving them from their suffering. “What can I do now?”

About the Framework for the Workshop:
Guided Meditation: to bring our mind into the present moment
Observing Silence: to connect to our deeper self and just to be
Light Exercises: to bring our attention towards different parts of our body
Kathak Sessions: as a medium to explore, express, and heal
Group Activities: to expand our horizons while learning from each other’s experiences
Contemplation: to relate our learnings with life
Sharing/Reflection Circles: to go deeper within while listening to others
Choreography on Bodhisattva Shantideva’s Aspiration Prayer: to receive reminders and inspiration while expanding our hearts for all beings
Stage Performance: to share our experiences with the larger group

Daily Schedule—
9:00 am – 12:00 Pm ; Session 1 (with short break)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm : Lunch & Break
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm : Session 2  (with short break)

General Guidelines:
Minimum age to join is 16 years.
All sessions are mandatory.
No prior training or experience in classical dance is needed to join the workshop.
The workshop is not gender-specific — anyone who wishes to explore the dance form is welcome to join.

About the Facilitator:
Annu Gupta is an avid Kathak practitioner, performer, and teacher based out of New Delhi who has learned and taught this art form for the last 15 years now. She began her journey of learning Kathak professionally under the guidance of her guru Smt. Monisa Nayak, and has also performed at the most reputed platforms across the country, including the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
After moving away from a mainstream career in her field, she found satisfaction working with underprivileged communities through an initiative called ‘Anubhuti’ in 2016. The aim was to inculcate essential life skills such as self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, and creativity among underserved children in remote rural/tribal communities and in urban slums using Kathak dance as a medium.
While her heart was yearning to find more to life, she met Buddhist Teachings in 2019, and since then she has been deeply involved in understanding and practicing these profound teachings.
Presently, she spends her time blending Buddhist teachings with this performing art. She also continues to teach Kathak in its traditional form through online/offline sessions and travels to conduct Anubhuti workshops as and when her heart calls for it.

More about Annu’s work:
www.annukathak.in | Instagram: @annu.kathak

This workshop is by donation | Stay and Meals at Actuals
For queries, registration & accommodation, please email: info@buddhapada.in