My two daughters have been attending Vinaji’s Kathak classes at Manushi Academy in Nottingham for over two years now, and the transformation has been incredible. Vinaji teaches with such grace, patience, and deep cultural knowledge. The classes are structured yet warm, and my daughters look forward to every session. Girls’ confidence, posture, and rhythm have significantly improved. Both girls even started choreographing their own little pieces at home!
It’s more than a dance class. It’s a cultural experience
Sudhakar Shinde – parent
I joined Manushi just two months ago, yet it already feels like home — as though I’ve been part of this family forever. It’s an incredibly warm and welcoming community, filled with talented, patient, and generous teachers, all guided by the radiant energy of our Guruji, Vina aunty, who inspires every one of us. Manushi is not just a place to learn Kathak; it’s a beautiful space for cultural exchange, connection, and growth.
Vrushali Shah
The Kathak dance classes at Manushi Dance Company are wonderful! The instructor is patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable, making each session both fun and educational. One of the things I treasure most is how the classes bring culture and heritage to life, blending language, stories, and traditions into a beautifully enriching experience. Highly recommended for any parent looking to introduce their child to this beautiful art form!
Deepa Kalakoti
Both my 10-year-old and I are her students. I started as an adult beginner and am now in Grade 6—all thanks to Vina Ji’s unwavering confidence in me and her inspiring guidance.
Manushi is not just any dance school—it’s a place where you learn life skills, where you find family, and for me, it’s also a form of therapy. Just attending the dance sessions makes me feel happy, peaceful, and content.
I highly recommend Vina Ji and Manushi Dance to anyone who has a passion for dancing and wants to grow both as a dancer and as a person.
Manasee Tripathy
My daughter Misha absolutely loves her Kathak classes at Manushi! She looks forward to every session and comes home excited to show us what she’s learned. The teaching is so thoughtful and encouraging — it’s wonderful to see how much she’s grown in confidence, grace, and love for dance. We’re so grateful to be part of the Manushi family and truly appreciate the dedication that goes into nurturing each student’s talent.
Hetal Patel – mum
I have been with the dance school now for around 4 years and feel I have progressed so much. It’s all down to our dance teacher Vinaji. She is such a soft spoken and polite teacher and yet able to get us to work hard to get the best out of us. She clearly is such an elegant and expert kathak dancer and imparts every bit of knowledge to us. Her stamina and passion as a Kathak teacher is unbeatable. I am honoured to be a student at Manushi.
Suneeta Teckchandani
Vina Ji not only teaches the technical aspects of Kathak with precision but also instills a sense of discipline, grace, and cultural appreciation in her students. It’s a joy to see my daughter grow in confidence and expression with each performance.
A lot of milestones in my little one’s learning like Distinction – Foundation already, lot of stage performance and much more to go on.
Thank you for being such a wonderful mentor and role model. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of your dance journey and we are a family too!
Kumar Sadaram
A huge thank you to our Amazing teacher @vina ladwa for your relentless efforts, patience, and guidance in training our lil one for the Kathak exam.
It’s truly hard to find such a wonderful guru, and we feel so proud and lucky to have you guiding our lil one. (And us)
Your positive energy and dedication mean the world to us!
Swati Shukla
Manushi is a wonderful place for any Kathak enthusiast. Vina Aunty is a fabulous teacher who supports students of all levels in positive ways to help bring out the best in them. The community and events around Manushi are nurturing and fun filled at the same time, with lots of dancing, music, food and giggles
Neelima Sailaja
The academy’s success is a direct reflection of Vina Ji’s incredible dedication. She is a phenomenal Guru whose passion, patience, and profound knowledge shine through in every class. Her commitment ensures that students not only master the technique but also gain a deep respect for the tradition and cultural heritage of Kathak.
If you are looking for authentic instruction in a supportive and uplifting community, I highly recommend Manushi Academy. It is an inspiring journey!
Mittal Barot
The classes are run from Vina ji’s home studio, where the atmosphere is welcoming, with chai and snacks often shared among parents. The annual Manushi Mela is a highlight — a beautiful showcase of the students’ progress and passion for Kathak.
If you’re considering enrolling your child, just visit once — I promise, your child will be the one dragging you back every week! A truly lovely place with an even lovelier Guru ji.
Kartik Upadhyay – Parent
I’ve been part of Manushi Dance Company for over 15 years—a transformative journey of growth, discipline, and self-discovery. Under the inspiring mentorship of Vina Ladwa, I’ve deepened my understanding of Kathak, striving for technical precision while learning to express emotion with honesty and grace.
Manushi is more than a dance company—it’s a family. It offers a space of belonging, creativity, and purpose where tradition meets personal growth. The friendships, passion, and lifelong lessons I’ve found here have made Manushi not just a stage for dance, but a place that truly transforms lives.
Bhakti Nagaraja
