About Kriti
The Artist
Kriti Rakesh, is a multi-faceted Kathak exponent, performer and teacher. Kriti was born and raised in the beautiful Pink city of India, Jaipur. She is the Director of Aakriti Kathak Academy founded in 2012, in Cary, North Carolina. Kriti is co-founder/director of OORJA Productions, a theatrical production company known for its memorable thematic shows like Rustic and Royal Rajasthan (2012), Oorja (2013), Samraat (2016), Ritu Chakra (2017) Jogan (2018) and Rangeela (2018), Gat Bhaav (2019), Rustic and Royal Rajasthan (2022). Kriti resides in Cary, NC with her husband and co-founder of OORJA Productions, Alekh Jha and her son, Akshay.

Kathak Education
Kriti is a disciple of renowned Guru and Sangeet Natak Academy award winner, Dr Shashi Sankhla (disciple of late Nrityacharya Shri Kundan Lal Gangani) of Jaipur Gharana and renowned Guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe, a famous Kathak exponent of India, the torchbearer of Nataraj Gopi Krishnaji’s dance style (Banaras Gharana).
Kriti began her training at 4. She won a scholarship award from Government of Rajasthan for 2 consecutive years and performed her first Kathak solo recital at the age of 9. She has Diploma in Kathak from Jaipur Kathak Kendra (Jaipur),  Nritya Visharad and Nritya Alankaar from Bharati Vidya Peeth University, Pune.

The Teacher
Kriti has been teaching and performing Kathak in the Triangle since 2007.
She teaches students of a big age range and has conducted several Manch Pravesh of her senior students. Her senior students have started graduating with Nritya Visharad and now assist her in teaching. Students enjoy dancing regularly in thematic productions produced by OORJA. Kriti is authorized center head of Bharati Vidya Peeth University exam center, Cary and conducts dance and music exams for local students. She is a Kathak examiner on Bharati Vidya Peeth University exam panel.

The Scientist
After earning a Masters in Life Sciences from India, Kriti came to America and earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. In 2007 she moved to the triangle and worked on her post doctoral research in Cardiovascular Sciences at Duke University. Kriti was invited to the prestigious American Heart Association in 2004 & 2006 to present her doctoral research work on stability of atherosclerotic plaques. In 2010, one more time her post doctoral research on angiotensin receptor signaling was chosen to be presented at AHA and also got published in the highly rated journal; Science Signaling. However, in 2011, Kriti consciously decided to make a career switch and follow her true calling - Kathak.
Picture
​​ With my Guru Dr Shahsi Sankhla ji, in Jaipur, outside her residence. Feb 2017
With my Guru Pta Maneesha Sathe ji, in Durham after her performance. Aug 2018
With Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia ji during Kathak residency program. California. July 2016
Dancing with my guruji, Pt. Guru Maneesha Sathe at our First Annual Rectial. June 2013. Green Hope High School Auditorium.
With the entire Gang! 4th Annual Recital. Stewart theater. May 2016
5th Annual Recital. Durham Arts Council. May 2017
10th Annual Production. Rustic & Royal Rajasthan. Oct 2022