Rachna is a Kathak soloist (classical dance from North India), a member of the internationally touring Chitresh Das Dance Company, and Co-director of the Chhandam School of Kathak - one of the largest classical Indian dance institutions in the world. She brings a fierce passion and energy to her performances, displaying the depth of her 14-year one-to-one training under world-renowned Kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das.

Rachna has performed all over the U.S. and India, in such places as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Roy and Edna Disney Cal/Arts Theater in Los Angeles, National Center for Performing Arts in Mumbai, National Center for Kathak Dance in New Delhi, amongst many others.

On the grassroots level, she is a dedicated teacher and is involved in arts education programs at schools and universities. She is passionate about raising awareness of the rich history and philosophy of India through the art of Kathak and for it to be a tool for empowerment, social justice, and self-actualization.

Rachna Nivas Performance Video Highlights

"Charismatic and resplendent" - San Francisco Chronicle