Eva Martinez is a performing arts curator, producer, dramaturge and coach. She was most recently Artistic Programmer at Sadler’s Wells in London (2013-2020) where she curated a programme showcasing distinctive British based artists alongside the best of international work for the Lilian Baylis Studio. Born and educated in France with a Spanish heritage, after literature studies and a Masters in Arts Management, she joined Trinity Laban (2002-2006), Dance4 (Nottingham, 2006-2009) and later as Performance programmer at Southbank Centre, London (2009-2011). Now freelance with 20 years’ experience, Eva is focusing on working as a coach, mentor and dramaturge with dance artists across a wide spectrum of practices. She is a sought-after dance curator and consultant, collaborating with an extended network of cultural organisations internationally; she is known for her empowering and facilitative approach to talent development, and as a curator, for her championing of experimentation and diversity. Eva is a certified and practicing Relational Dynamics coach since 2012, bringing this approach to much of her work. She is a Clore Leadership Fellow (2011/12), a member of the Royal Society of Arts, a board member for National Dance Agency South East Dance (Brighton) and for Independent Dance (London).
Pagrav means ‘the sound of feet’. Through the Indian classical dance form Kathak – which expresses stories through movement, especially footwork and facial gesture – we celebrate an ancient tradition and its potential to empower people and enhance lives.
Our work comprises three strands:
New Feet
Our education programme teaches and trains people of all ages in the art of Kathak. Through skills development and performing opportunities, we challenge the negative perceptions of creative careers within South Asian culture.
New Paths
Our talent development work supports emerging Kathak practitioners - those who have mastered the artform - to pursue and thrive in professional dance careers. Mentoring and nurturing a new generation of talent, we help to create pathways for success.
New Ground
Our professional projects and productions celebrate and showcase innovative new work that both embraces Kathak’s authenticity and history and reinterprets it for twenty first century audiences. Exploring contemporary themes, we bring the artform to a broad public, challenging the way it is represented and perceived.
The Team
Urja Desai Thakore
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / CEO
Lia Prentaki
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Louise Clohesy
COMPANY MANAGER
Giulia Coti Zelati
COMPANY COORDINATOR
The Board
Eva Martinez – Chair
Anthony Spira
Anthony Spira has been Director of MK Gallery since 2009. He was previously curator at Whitechapel Gallery London (1999-2009) and Jeu de Paume, Paris (1994-1996). His twenty years of curatorial experience includes: group shows from A Century of British Sculpture, Jacob Epstein to Rachel Whiteread (Jeu de Paume 1996), to Cadences, Henrick Goltzius to Wassily Kandinsky (MK Gallery 2014); and over 30 solo exhibitions and publications with a broad range of artists including Hans Bellmer, Andrea Buttner, Rodney Graham, Nasreen Mohamedi and Mark Wallinger. He trained as an art historian and has written and published extensively on modern and contemporary art. In March 2019, he launched a major renovation and expansion of MK Gallery, designed by 6a architects with artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman. He has previously served on the boards of the Contemporary Art Society, commissioning organisation Pavilion and as jury member for the Paul Hamlyn Artists Awards.
Sanjay Shetty
Sanjay Shetty
Sanjay is an accountant and financial controller by profession who has worked in the international trade and finance sector for over 12 years. He also specialises in the petrochemical business with knowledge of international business and experience in extensive travelling. He has been learning kathak for the past 13 years and has performed professionally for various arts festivals and events at venues such as the Science Museum, Rich Mix, The Place, Nehru Centre, and MK Gallery. He regularly attends events to support the Indian arts.
Zena Kukreja
Zena Kukreja
Zena is a senior associate at a global law firm in the City of London. During her career, she has spent extended periods of time practicing in Tokyo, Moscow and Paris. Wherever she has lived, Zena has remained passionate about the arts, particularly dance. She has been learning kathak for over a decade and is one of Urja’s senior students. She has had the opportunity to perform with Pagrav Dance Company and travel to and perform in India on the Kathak Yatra in 2015. Zena also regularly undertakes voluntary work and legal pro bono projects, with a particular focus on social mobility.
Our History
Pagrav Dance Company promotes kathak, invigorating the form with modern context and renewed presentation, while encouraging new thinking and understanding of the discipline. Established in 2005 by Artistic Director, Urja Desai Thakore, Pagrav has toured the full-scale works Baharan, Hats, Anant-Endless, I, Within, Detox and Kattam Katti, nationally.
The Milton Keynes-based company is also highly committed to nurturing the next generation by providing a supportive platform for emerging dancers. Since 2016, Pagrav’s youth ensemble has been touring the UK with Aunusthan, an evening of classical work. In 2017, Pagrav was awarded a year-long residency at MK Gallery supported by Arts Council England, Milton Keynes Council, Akademi and South East Dance.
Various initiatives have transpired and been presented as a result, one being the R&D of Pagrav’s next production, Kattam Katti, which was also supported by Stantonbury Theatre and Milton Keynes Community Foundation. The next stage of creating Kattam Katti will notably enable the formation of the UK’s first repertory company for kathak.
Our Studios
Studio 1
(6m x 7.2m)
Studio 2
(5.7m x 6.4m)