Janaki Patrik is a pioneer in American cross-cultural choreography and performance. She was trained in classical north Indian Kathak dance, American modern dance and western flute by three internationally renowned teachers: Pandit Birju Maharaj at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi starting in 1967; Merce Cunningham and company members at the Merce Cunningham Studio, modern dance and repertoire 1971-1978; and Donald Peck, first chair flute of the Chicago Symphony, private coaching in 1960-62 after 12 years of flute training and performance starting in early childhood.
Janaki's eclectic mixture of music and dance training, plus her knowledge of Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu and Russian languages and literatures have inspired her choreography and direction of its musical accompaniment in over 40 productions since founding her company The Kathak Ensemble & Friends/CARAVAN in 1978.
