About Fankaar

Preserving Heritage, Nurturing Artistry.

The Story of Fankaar Institute of Performing Arts, Jaipur.

Our story

Fankaar began with a simple conviction: that Indian classical arts are not museum pieces but living practices, and anyone with a zeal to learn deserves a guru who takes their journey seriously. What started as a handful of Kathak students in Jaipur has grown into an institute of four branches and an online classroom, having trained more than 175 students, including three CCRT scholarship awardees.

The name itself reflects the mission. Fankaar (फनकार), meaning “artist,” represents our belief that every learner has an artist within them waiting to be nurtured. From a six-year-old taking their first steps in Tatkaar to an adult preparing for an Alankar, every class is designed to awaken that artist through a meaningful and disciplined learning journey. At Fankaar, we train for depth, not display—with a focus on strong technique, a living repertoire, and the discipline that creates space for genuine creative freedom.

Our mission

“Fankaar exists to preserve the purity and timelessness of India’s classical and folk performing arts. Through dedicated mentorship and disciplined training, we guide every student towards creative freedom, awakening the Fankaar—the artist within.”

The founder

Vartika Tiwari

Leading Kathak Dancer & Founder of Fankaar Arts

Vartika Tiwari is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and Kathak exponent based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. With over 20 years of dedicated training in Kathak, she has developed a deep understanding of the Jaipur Gharana tradition. Her artistic journey began under the guidance of Pt. Girdhari Maharaj of the Jaipur Gharana and was further refined under the mentorship of eminent Guru Ishira Parikh. Rooted in the Guru-Shishya tradition, her practice brings together intricate footwork, rhythmic precision, dynamic movement, and expressive storytelling. Vartika holds a Master of Performing Arts (Kathak) from Gujarat University, along with classical dance diplomas from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapeeth, Lucknow; Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai; and Rajasthan Sangeet Sansthan, Jaipur. In 2018, she was awarded the CCRT Scholarship by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in recognition of her dedication to Indian classical dance. In 2021, she founded Fankaar Arts with four students, with a vision to create a space where Indian classical arts could be learned through authentic training, mentorship, and discipline. Today, Fankaar Arts has grown into a vibrant learning community with four branches across Jaipur—Malviya Nagar, Tonk Road, Jagatpura, and Nirman Nagar—alongside its online classroom, nurturing learners of different age groups in Kathak and Hindustani music while encouraging them to develop both technical excellence and a deeper artistic connection with tradition.

How we teach

The Fankaar approach

Guru–Shishya Parampara

Small batches, close mentorship, and personal attention. Every student is observed, guided, corrected, and encouraged with care, reflecting the depth and personal connection of the traditional Guru–Shishya approach to learning.

A Structured Path

Training follows a structured progression through recognised examination levels, from foundational stages to advanced certifications, with opportunities to appear for examinations conducted by established institutions including Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapeeth, Lucknow; Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai; and Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.

The Stage as Classroom

Recitals, showcases and community performances are an integral part of the curriculum. Students learn to carry their art into the world with confidence, grace and poise.

Faculty

The gurus

Vartika Tiwari

Founder & Director · Kathak

Mrs. Vartika Tiwari is an elite Kathak exponent and the visionary Founder of Fankaar Institute of Performing Arts. With over 20 years of dedicated training, her artistic foundation was molded under the legendary Pt. Girdhari Maharaj of the Jaipur Gharana and further honed by the eminent Guru Ishira Parikh. Under her leadership, Fankaar has grown exponentially from a humble cohort of four students into a premier multi-branch dance academy across Jaipur. A distinguished scholar and performer recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Vartika combines pristine classical lineage with a modern commitment to preserving and propagating Indian classical arts.

Rahul Bhalia

Music and Singing

Mr. Rahul Bhalia is a premier vocal artist and classical fusion vocalist based in Jaipur. He initiated his musical training under the tutelage of Guruji Shree Balveer Singh Ji Shekhawat, undergoing a rigorous 10-year mentorship in classical music. He is the founder and frontman of Neer, an award-winning Indian classical fusion band established in 2016. Celebrated for his exceptional versatility across diverse musical genres, Rahul blends deeply rooted classical traditions with modern arrangements. He is a graded artist for All India Radio and frequently serves as a premier stage performer and competitive jury member across regional and international platforms.

Mrigankee Sharma

Assistant Instructor - Kathak

Mrigankee Sharma is a professional Kathak artist and Indian classical dancer with a decade of expertise in the performing arts. She holds an M.A. Diploma in Kathak from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapeeth, Lucknow; Madhyama Pratham from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai; and Visharad from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. She is currently pursuing a Master of Performing Arts in Kathak from Raja Mansingh Tomar Music and Arts University, Gwalior. She serves as an Instructor and Intern at Fankaar Institute of Performing Arts and is an accomplished stage artist, with performances across prominent regional platforms, including recurring appearances at the prestigious Faag Utsav at Govind Dev ji Temple, Jaipur. She brings technical precision, structured teaching expertise, and a deep understanding of cultural traditions to the Fankaar faculty.

Come meet us

Visit any branch, watch a class in progress, and see the approach for yourself — no obligation.

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