The Sujata Banerjee Dance Company is set to perform a showcase of Kathak dance, one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance, at the Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall this month. The Edgware group was selected out of 200 entries and is the only classical Indian act to participate. The 13 dancers are aged between ten and 19 and will be wowing dance lovers, talent spotters and celebrity patrons including renowned British ballerina Darcey Bussell CBE, musical theatre star Matt Flint and choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance judge Arlene Phillips.

Sujata Banerjee, the group's founder, says: “We are proud and humbled to be selected in this special event. We are ready to put our hard work and commitment to show high quality Kathak and make this event an amazing experience for the audience."

Kathak is known as the storyteller’s dance, with its rhythmic progression in tempo from slow to fast, remnants of temple and ritual dances can still be found in its formation today. The origins of Kathak can be traced back to the nomadic bards of northern India, where roaming poets spread epic and heroic stories. The medieval Hindu movement Bhakti has also influenced the style, and like Kathak, it was poets who first inspired this tradition. In this case however, they were poet-saints and took philosophical stances with the main religious practice centred on ‘loving devotion’.

The competitive application process to enter the international celebration of dance required teachers to submit a short video featuring a choreography, in any genre, performed as a solo, couple, trio or group. A judging panel made up of global artistic directors and senior examiners picked the qualifying performers. This is the second triumph for the dance company this year, as two of its students are taking part in the BBC Young Dancers Competition in the South Asian category. Dancers from Norway and Italy will also be joining the Sujata Banerjee troupe on the iconic stage and will be performing genres such as ballet, street dance and Latin American. Founded in 1985 by Sujata Banerjee, the charity was set up to promote South Asian dance and music in the UK and further afield.

Sponsored by Italian shoemaker Capezio, Dance Proms was established to celebrate all forms of dance and the unique relationship between students and their dance teachers. It has become a meeting place for participants, with an online forum packed with resources, tips and advice for the students. There, they can meet and interact with fellow dancers prior to meeting as one under the Dance Proms company. Three of the UK’s leading dance organisations founded and managed the organisation, including the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Royal Albert Hall.

Darcey Bussell CBE adds: “The Sujata Banerjee Dance Company will make a great addition to the line-up this year. To perform at a world famous venue requires hard work, dedication and being noticed by the right people at the right time.”

Dance Proms, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. November 15, 5pm. Details: royalalberthall.com