About the Founder and Chief Mentor
Esshan Katara
Esshan Katara is a storyteller, theatre practitioner, and educator whose journey with the performing arts began at a young age and has since evolved into a lifelong commitment to theatre as a way of life and learning. As the Founder and Chief Mentor of Lumos Academy for Performing Arts, his work is rooted in the belief that storytelling has the power to illuminate, transform, and shape individuals far beyond the stage.
Formally trained in Theatre and International Studies at the Foundation for Liberal and Management Education (FLAME), Pune, and professionally at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, Esshan brings together academic depth and real-world practice. Over the years, he has worked extensively across theatre, film, and performance-based education—as an actor, director, writer, assistant director, and mentor—engaging with both creative and administrative dimensions of the performing arts
Esshan’s teaching journey spans reputed performing arts institutions and schools in Pune, where he has taught Speech and Drama, applied theatre, and performance-making. His exposure to both Western acting methodologies and Eastern theatrical wisdom has shaped a pedagogy that balances discipline with imagination, technique with intuition, and structure with freedom.
At the heart of his philosophy lies a simple yet powerful belief: when passion becomes profession, learning becomes joyful and work becomes meaningful. Whether a student approaches theatre as a serious career path or as a personal exploration, Esshan views theatre as a pedagogical tool that nurtures confidence, empathy, communication, and self-awareness.
Esshan’s teaching journey spans reputed performing arts institutions and schools in Pune, where he has taught Speech and Drama, applied theatre, and performance-making. His exposure to both Western acting methodologies and Eastern theatrical wisdom has shaped a pedagogy that balances discipline with imagination, technique with intuition, and structure with freedom.
If you choose to walk this path with us, you are stepping into a journey of exploration, growth, and self-discovery—guided by the timeless power of storytelling.
Founder & Chief Mentor
Founder’s Message
Esshan Katara
My journey with theatre began with curiosity and imagination, long before it became a profession. Over the years, that curiosity evolved into training, practice, teaching, and a deep belief in storytelling as a way of understanding life.
Lumos Academy for Performing Arts was founded on the idea that theatre is not merely about performance, but about personal growth. Whether a student joins us with professional aspirations or simply to explore theatre as a hobby, our focus remains the same—to create a disciplined, honest, and nurturing space for learning.
I strongly believe that theatre builds confidence, empathy, communication, and emotional awareness—skills that extend far beyond the stage. At Lumos, we balance traditional wisdom with contemporary practice, technique with imagination, and structure with emotional truth.