About Abhinav Shankar Mishra

Following the Family Blood

Abhinav Shankar Mishra is a Kathak artist and teacher whose dedication to his craft is a testament to his deep-rooted passion for the art form. With his ancestral origins in the culturally rich city of Benaras, Abhinav was born and raised in London, UK, where he effortlessly blends the profound influences of his Indian heritage with the diverse cultural experiences of his upbringing in a global metropolis.

Born into a family deeply rooted in the classical arts, Abhinav carries forward a legacy spanning over 200 years of unparalleled mastery in Hindustani classical dance and music. His parents, Dr. Abhay Shankar Mishra and Smt. Kakoli Shankar Mishra, are both revered Kathak maestros whose contributions to the art have been widely recognized and celebrated. From the tender age of 4, Abhinav was taken under their expert tutelage, where they meticulously nurtured his talent and passion for Kathak.

Through years of relentless practice and unwavering dedication, Abhinav has honed his skills to perfection. His journey from an eager young learner to a professional artist has been marked by countless hours of disciplined training and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

He is trained in all three major gharanas of Kathak: Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benaras. His formal qualifications include the Post Diploma in Kathak and the Diploma in Performing (Kathak), and in July 2024 he achieved his Rang Manch Pravesh, marking his formal debut as a soloist. Alongside his Kathak practice, he has also studied Tabla and Mridangam, the latter under Vidwan Sri M. Balachandar.

Abhinav is the Resident Kathak Teacher at The Bhavan, London, and Senior Examiner at the Pandit Ram Sahai Sangeet Vidyalaya, London, where he has also previously taught. He has taught Kathak at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Abhinav has performed at venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the Southbank Centre, and the V&A Museum in London, as well as at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi and the Sophia B. Clarke Theatre in Los Angeles, among performances across England, Scotland, India, Kenya, the United States, and more.

Alongside his Kathak practice, Abhinav is a professional lighting designer, holding a BA in Production and Technical Theatre for Stage and Screen from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). His technical work spans lighting design, stage management, and sound engineering, and he brings this same precision to his family's productions as well as his own freelance theatre work. This dual grounding in the creative and technical sides of performance gives his choreography a distinct spatial and visual sensibility.

Deeply in love with the art form, Abhinav aspires to showcase his talent to a global audience. His dream is to elevate Kathak to new heights, honoring and advancing his family's legacy while inspiring future generations of dancers. With unwavering dedication, Abhinav is committed to preserving and evolving the rich tradition of Kathak for a contemporary world.

ABHINAV SHANKAR MISHRA COMPANY

About Abhinav Shankar Mishra