Myra Barot mid-spin during a Kathak performance, wearing a rose and gold costume
Kathak

Myra Barot

Kathak dancer training toward her Visharad, and founder of Nritya Setu, a youth-led initiative bringing classical dance to the next generation.

About

A decade of Kathak

Myra began learning Kathak at the age of six and a half. Ten years on, she is preparing for her Visharad, the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in the form, while continuing to perform, choreograph, and teach.

She has represented her training at national platforms, reaching the under-16 final at the Bal Kathak Utsav in New Delhi and at the Shrivajali Competition in Pune, and delivering a 15-minute solo at Bal Mahotsav. On the production stage, she portrayed Nala in The King of the Jungle, a Kathak adaptation of The Lion King staged by the Pooja Pant Dance Company, and has performed in the company's sold-out shows at NMACC and NCPA.

Alongside her own performing career, she founded and continues to lead Nritya Setu, a youth dance initiative now in its second year of public showcases.

  • Began training in Kathak at 6.5 years of age
  • Performer at Rivaayat, 2019
  • U16 finalist, Bal Kathak Utsav, New Delhi, October 2021
  • U16 finalist, Shrivajali Competition, Pune, May 2022
  • Portrayed Nala in The King of the Jungle, Pooja Pant Dance Company, August 2022
  • Performer at Rivaayat, 2023
  • 15-minute solo at Bal Mahotsav, February 2024
  • 15-minute solo performance at Nritya Setu, 2024 and 2025
  • Performer at Rivaayat, 2025
  • Solo performer at Bala Kathak Mahaotsav, Thane, January 2025, facilitated by Kathak legend Manjiri Deo
  • Performer in Tehreek, Pooja Pant Dance Company, at NMACC, supported by the Reliance Foundation, March 2026
  • Performer at Mudra Dance Festival 2026, NCPA, April 2026
Performances

On stage

A collection of moments from Myra's performances: solo showcases, competitions, and productions.

Selected shows & competitions
  • RivaayatPerformer ยท 2019
  • Bal Kathak UtsavU16 finalist ยท New Delhi ยท October 2021
  • Shrivajali CompetitionU16 finalist ยท Pune ยท May 2022
  • The King of the JunglePlayed Nala ยท Pooja Pant Dance Company ยท August 2022
  • RivaayatPerformer ยท 2023
  • Bal Mahotsav15-minute solo performance ยท February 2024
  • Nritya Setu Showcase15-minute solo performances at her own showcase ยท 2024 & 2025
  • RivaayatPerformer ยท 2025
  • Bala Kathak MahaotsavSolo performer ยท Thane ยท facilitated by Kathak legend Manjiri Deo ยท January 2025
  • TehreekPerformer ยท Pooja Pant Dance Company at NMACC, supported by the Reliance Foundation ยท March 2026
  • Mudra Dance Festival 2026Performer ยท NCPA ยท April 2026
Nritya Setu

A bridge, through dance

Founded by Myra, Nritya Setu is a youth-led social initiative that uses Indian classical dance, especially Kathak, as a medium of education, expression, and empowerment.

What began as a four-day pilot grew into a Kathak curriculum designed and led by Myra, taking students aged 9 to 15 from foundational technique to a stage-ready performance.

Since then, Nritya Setu has produced annual showcases, with Myra managing sponsorships, artist partnerships, logistics, and marketing. The initiative has collaborated with the Spark-a-Change Foundation and coordinated performances by the Pooja Pant Dance Company.

Myra also authored a bilingual Kathak handbook for her students, and leads Nritya Setu's outreach and social media presence, helping the initiative welcome new students and audiences each year.

Nritya Setu 2024

Nritya Setu 2025

Collaborators
  • Spark-a-Change Foundation: programme collaboration
  • Pooja Pant Dance Company: performing artists at Nritya Setu showcases

Follow Nritya Setu

Behind-the-scenes, showcase updates, and the students of Nritya Setu, on Instagram.

@nrityasetu2025