Prof. (Dr.) Richa Jain is an accomplished Kathak exponent, researcher, educator and author, whose work seamlessly integrates the richness of Indian classical performing arts with contemporary pedagogy and educational innovation. With over two decades of national and international performance experience, she is recognised as a Top Grade Artist of Prasar Bharati, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and is an empanelled artist with both the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

An accomplished academic and arts education specialist, Dr. Jain has contributed to significant curriculum development and educational initiatives with NCERT and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). She has led numerous faculty development programmes and workshops on art-integrated learning, helping educators incorporate the arts into interdisciplinary teaching and learning. At WUD, she provides academic and creative leadership to the School of Performing Arts, fostering excellence in performance, scholarship, research and innovation while nurturing the next generation of performing artists and educators.

Qualifications: Ph.D. (Kathak) | M.A. (Kathak) | M.Com. | B.Ed. | B.Com. | Alankaar Poorna (Hindustani Classical Vocal Music)

Dr. Parul Purohit Vats is a distinguished danseuse, choreographer, educationist, and published author. She holds the Alankaar degree in Kathak from the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, along with a Ph.D. in Music from Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur. In addition, she has completed Grade 8 and the ATCL Diploma in Performance Arts from Trinity College London, both with distinction. She is an alumna of Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music, Ahmedabad, and Nrityagram, Bangalore, where she has also served as a faculty member.

An educationist since 2006, Dr. Vats has been associated with several esteemed institutions, contributing to curriculum development, faculty training, and teaching. She has conducted numerous workshops in dance and drama for the British Council, New Delhi. Her most recent academic appointment was as Principal of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi. A registered member of the International Dance Council (CID), Paris, Dr. Vats has performed extensively on national and international prosceniums. Her contributions to the performing arts have been recognized with several accolades, including the Yuva Puraskar by the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi (2002), the Veer Durga Das Matri Shakti Award (2017), the Sur Sangam Excellence Award for Performing Arts (2019), the Dr. Sarojini Naidu Award for Working Women (2023), and the Nritya Mani Award (2025).

Dr. Vidushi is an Associate Professor at the School of Fashion in World University of Design, Sonipat.
With a Ph.D. in Omni-channel Retailing, she brings a wealth of expertise in sustainability, merchandising, marketing, and retailing, cultivated over 10 years of professional experience. She is also working with a Texas-based non-profit organization AKFI Association, as Research Partner that focus on research related to ESG, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation. Her career includes impactful roles at Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd. and Upcycleluxe, where she managed brands like Uniqlo, H&M, Target, and Next, as well as a portfolio of 100+ sustainable brands such as Doodlage, Mix Mitti, Neora, and The Terra Tribe. She presented research papers at conference both on the national and international level. Her research papers have been published in esteemed Scopus Indexed and UGC care listed journals.

Simer Preet is known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in Bharatanatyam & Kathak, as well as Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology. With a double Masters's degree in Performing Arts from Tamil University Tanjore and Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology from Panjab University Chandigarh, Simer is a UGC NET-qualified academician and a prominent figure in the performing arts community. Simer started his journey at the renowned Kalakshetra Foundation, where he honed his skills in Bharatanatyam and later got his degree in Kathak from Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya. He combines his diverse academic knowledge to create a unique and holistic approach to his teaching methodology.

Nitin Pandey is a theatre practitioner, performer, director and educator whose work is rooted in contemporary performance practice, experimental theatre and performance research. He holds a Master's degree in Performing Arts from the University of Hyderabad and has been associated with several significant theatre institutions, festivals and repertories across India.

Over the years, he has worked with renowned theatre practitioners and organisations including Rang Vidushak, while participating in prestigious platforms such as Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the Theatre Olympics and the International Theatre Festival of Kerala. His practice encompasses acting, direction, theatre pedagogy, digital and multimedia theatre, children's theatre and performance-making processes. At WUD, he brings a strong balance of academic inquiry and performance practice, encouraging students to explore theatre as a powerful medium for artistic expression, critical thinking and social engagement.

Sandeep Yadav is a dynamic theatre practitioner and academician known for his expertise in physical theatre and intercultural performance. He holds a Diploma in Advanced Acting from the Intercultural Theatre Institute, Singapore, and a Master’s degree in Theatre Design from the University of Hyderabad. With a strong foundation in both traditional and contemporary forms, Sandeep brings a unique blend of artistic insight and pedagogical depth to the field of theatre education.

His training spans diverse forms such as Wayang Wong, Noh, and Kudiyattam, which he seamlessly integrates with modern methodologies like Meyerhold’s Biomechanics, Suzuki, and Viewpoints. With over forty performances and twelve directorial credits to his name, his major works include Butterfly (supported by the Ministry of Culture) and Beyond the Land of Hattamala (presented at the 14th Jashn-e-Bachpan, NSD).

Sandeep is widely recognized for his physically grounded approach and poetic dramaturgy, offering students a decolonial and immersive perspective on performance.

Miss Lavanya Gosaiis a versatile vocalist, guitarist, and composer with a strong grounding in both Western and contemporary music. Trained in musical studies from Trinity College London, she is further deepening her expertise in Western performance traditions. Alongside her Western training, Lavanya also has a foundation in Indian classical music, which has shaped her unique semi-classical style and added depth to her artistic expression.

This dual exposure to diverse musical systems not only enhances her versatility as a performer and composer but also informs her dynamic and inclusive approach to a wide range of musical genres.

Mohammad Gulbahar Saifi is a versatile musician, educator, and content creator with a strong foundation in Indian classical and semi-classical music. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Performing Arts and is proficient in a range of instruments including the guitar, piano, harmonium, and cajon. Trained in music production, Gulbahar brings a refined technical edge to his compositions—music production is not only his area of expertise but also his creative forte.

In addition to his work as a singer, composer, lyricist, and music producer, he is a dedicated educator with a passion for nurturing the next generation of performers. He is also an active academician, with research papers published in reputed journals, contributing meaningfully to the scholarly discourse in music.

Eminent percussionist, music arranger and tabla exponent, Shri. Prashant Trivedi has been a part of the music industry for the past 20 years. He is one of the rarest musicians who can play almost all the percussion instruments. Disciple of renowned tabla guru Taal Yogi Pt.Suresh Talwalkar,Prashant believes in constant learning as well as giving back the best to the society both as a teacher and performer.Along with being a percussionist, he also has wide contribution as a Music Arranger for more than thousand famous songs in various albums.

He has travelled the world and shared the stage with legends from both Indian classical as well as popular music.He has contributed in many albums and Hindi film projects and is also an integral part of India’s premier rock band EUPHORIA for past 16 years. He is a perfect example of youth Icon, who blends various genres of music with ease and mesmerizes his audience with his versatile talent.

Anukriti Vishwakarma, a distinguished Kathak dancer, exemplifies the synergy of tradition and innovation. Trained at Kathak Kendra under Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj and holding a post-graduation from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, she has been mentored by eminent gurus.

Her academic and artistic credentials include scholarships and Junior research Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, a graded artist on Delhi Doordarshan, and empanelment with SPIC MACAY. Currently pursuing her PhD at World University of Design, Anukriti is a Kathak Guru in Shri ram Bhartiya kala kendra and also the founder-director of Punaraakriti Performing Arts, fostering a contemporary approach to classical dance.

Dheerendra Tiwari is a firecracker, confident, strong and knowledgeable performing artist. He is one of the foremost disciples of Kathak maestro Rajendra Gangani.

His collaboration with great gurus and leading choreographers like Guru Aditi Mangaldas, Leela Samson, Saroja Vaidhyanathan and Kumudini Lakhia helped him make a mark in contemporary dance field too. He was a senior repertory member and rehearsal director for Drishtikon Dance Foundation - The Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and also worked as a rehearsal director for Aakash Odedra Dance Company (UK).

He has given many remarkable solo and group performance in prestigious festivals in India and abroad including Darbar Festival (London), Sankatmochan Sangeet Samaroh (Varanasi), Khajuraho Festival (Khajuraho) , Edinburgh International Dance Festival (Scottland) and Oz Asia Dance Festival (Australia).