Director- Kathak, Folk and Bollywood

Parita Pathak Bose -Boss lady aka Guruji!

Parita is a Senior Media Specialist at NZME by profession. But by passion, she’s an accomplished Kathak, Folk and Bollywood dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. 

For over 15 years, she’s run Shivam dance Academy NZ –SDANZ, Wellington’s premier Kathak, Folk, and Bollywood dance school. It’s a not-for-profit organisation that brings together the wider Wellington Indian diaspora, uniting them through a love of music and dance. Working with youth and helping them with personal development and overall mental health is one of the major roles the dance school focuses on, alongside teaching different dance styles. 

SDANZ is known for its intricate and innovative choreography, complemented by beautiful costumes. With over 1000 students across her teaching career, Parita holds high respect in her field and artform. With over 6 annual productions and countless performances, SDANZ students stand out from the crowd with their energy, maturity, and understanding of technical and creative aspects of performance and various dance forms.

Parita’s own dance journey began in her original home country of Kenya, where she danced and taught at a dance school run by her mother. After immigrating to Aotearoa with her partner Rony, Parita opened her first dance school in Wanganui and Palmerston North, and then eventually in Wellington, where she resides with her husband and her young son Kiaan.

SDANZ Team

  • Amee Patel-Dancer no.1

    Bollywood and Kathak

    SDANZ is one big family where we work together as a team and build strong relationships. I have learnt and grown my dance styles, overall performance techniques and I am really excited to pass it on to the lil champs. Working towards my dream at SDANZ, I love the platform and opportunities that I get with SDANZ.

  • Heeral Patel - Swag rani!

    Bollywood and Kathak

    Dancing at SDANZ is a blast! The people, the energy, and the dances. I’ve danced since I was very young and the best times are with this academy. I’ve learnt a lot of new dance styles here as well as improving my physique. I help out the little ones with their fun adventure dancing with us! Kathak and Bollywood classes have brought so much discpline to skill. I am so grateful to be part of the SDANZ family.

  • Jehangir Wasti - Apna hero!

    MC, Bollywood

    Following my family's glamorous background in Bollywood, I stepped into acting and dancing in NZ. From creative, interactive MC skits to a wholesome entertainment package, we at SDANZ can provide a solution to suit all. I enhanced my dance skills and got the opportunity to participate and create some extraordinary performances at SDANZ.

  • Suresh Suru - South ka dhamaal!

    Bollywood and Folk

    I have danced from a very young age and have had the opportunity to try pout a lot of different styles- Bollywood, Hip Hop, Break, Modern Jive, Folk and Contemporary. SDANZ has given me creative opportunities to work and combine these styles and create some beautiful fusions. Being part of the SDANZ family bring in sense of belonging and one of my favourites is participating and helping out with annual productions. I am glad to be part of SDANZ’s journey to help our future dancers to habituate better expressions, style and attitude, while I continue to learn from everyone here.

  • Tanvi Patel - Expression queen!

    Bollywood and Kathak

    I have always been fascinated in various styles of dance. I joined SDANZ as a lil bud and within no time my passion progressed to Kathak, Intermediate Bollywood and also to become the youngest tutor at SDANZ. Not only am I learning and helping with classes at SDANZ, but SDANZ has helped me gain a lot of confidence and helped me work on my personality overall.

  • Vivek Vutukuri - SDANZ ka Hrithik!

    Bollywood, Hiphop and Folk

    Dance is one of my most loved hobbies ever since I was young, it gives me pleasure and happiness. SDANZ family is the best platform to express. I have learned a lot with SDANZ and something I love the most is dancing from the heart and express while dancing. Regular performances, and various other involvement with productions, I feel I can pass on this to our youth.

  • Vikrant Mulani - Garbaking!

    Bollywood

    Dance is my way of expressing myself. I feel happy when I dance and I dance when I feel happy. Growing up I have picked various dance styles like garba, folk and latin from many professionals. Eventually joined SDANZ and found my home of dance. I love the diversity of dance styles and the people in the SDANZ family. It is pure joy meeting new people and learning from different styles!