Interview with Rachna Agrawal
IntervieweeInterview with
Rachna Ramya Agrawal
Indian
Date22 October 2025
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 47 Minutes, 59 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
DescriptionAudio file of interview with Rachna Agrawal. She was interviewed by Satwik Padhi on October 22, 2025 in Weatogue, Connecticut.
Rachna Agrawal was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in her life.
Rachna Agrawal practices an Indian classical dance form called Kathak and is also a writer. Recounting significant moments of change in her life, Rachna discusses her experiences as an immigrant. She moved many places within India, such as Rajasthan, Bihar, and New Delhi. After getting married in 1989, she moved to the United States. These transitions shaped her identity and sense of belonging. When she first arrived in the USA, she observed the total contrast between vibrant Delhi and quiet Simsbury, CT.
Rachna has taught Kathak dance for 35 years now, to anyone who wants to learn. She has found support from the Indian community in Connecticut and travels back to India annually to continue her dance studies. Rachna shares that moving to the U.S. felt like a blank canvas, which allowed her to create and practice without distractions.
Rachna's passion for Kathak dance has allowed her to collaborate with the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Trinity College, and other organizations. She discusses how important it is for students learning Kathak to travel to India at least once to understand the culture and see the dance form firsthand. She believes it is important for people to practice some sort of art, as it has many benefits. Rachna performs Kathak dance and enjoys supporting others in learning and exhibiting it, as well.
Rachna Agrawal was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in her life.
Rachna Agrawal practices an Indian classical dance form called Kathak and is also a writer. Recounting significant moments of change in her life, Rachna discusses her experiences as an immigrant. She moved many places within India, such as Rajasthan, Bihar, and New Delhi. After getting married in 1989, she moved to the United States. These transitions shaped her identity and sense of belonging. When she first arrived in the USA, she observed the total contrast between vibrant Delhi and quiet Simsbury, CT.
Rachna has taught Kathak dance for 35 years now, to anyone who wants to learn. She has found support from the Indian community in Connecticut and travels back to India annually to continue her dance studies. Rachna shares that moving to the U.S. felt like a blank canvas, which allowed her to create and practice without distractions.
Rachna's passion for Kathak dance has allowed her to collaborate with the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Trinity College, and other organizations. She discusses how important it is for students learning Kathak to travel to India at least once to understand the culture and see the dance form firsthand. She believes it is important for people to practice some sort of art, as it has many benefits. Rachna performs Kathak dance and enjoys supporting others in learning and exhibiting it, as well.
Object number2024.79.16
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
- Weatogue
- People of color
- Oral history
- Interviews
- Oral narratives
- Indians (Asian)
- Kathak (Dance)
- Dance Instruction and Physical Culture
- Culture shock
- Women
- Dance
- Immigrants
- India
- Interviews and Oral Histories
- Born Digital Audio
- Community History Project U.S. Department of Education grant
- Redefining Moments of Change Collection
On View
Not on view
29 October 2025
3 October 2025