Chhandam Chitresh Das Company, DBA Leela Institute San Francisco, has a strong 40-year track record of producing culturally responsive arts and education programs in diverse California communities. From 1980-2015, the Chitresh Das Dance Company was a visionary voice in Indian classical dance, producing more than 20 traditional and innovative works that combined the richness of ancient India with a contemporary sensibility. Following Chitresh Das’s passing in 2015, the organization began a transition from a western-model dance company to an incubator that supports development of new artistic works by multiple voices carrying forward kathak dance.

Our resident professional company, Leela Dance Collective (LDC), was founded in 2016 by Das’s senior disciples Rina Mehta, Rachna Nivas and Seibi Lee, along with leading kathak performers Sarah Morelli and Shefali Jain. LDC is working to establish Indian classical dance and music on the world stage through cutting edge works of kathak dance. Additionally, our educational programs provide world class training in kathak and north Indian classical music through year-round classes, workshops, and intensives; annual community student performances; and our elite pre-professional performance company for youth 12-18.

In January 2021, Chhandam Chitresh Das Company underwent a major rebranding, and is now known as Leela Institute of Kathak – San Francisco. Since 2017, Chhandam has partnered closely with its affiliate organizations – the Leela Academy in Los Angeles, Sureela Academy in Denver, and the Leela Initiative in New York. The new name reflects this partnership and global initiative to uplift and connect individuals and communities through dance.

As Leela Institute San Francisco, we continue to be an anchor for Indian classical arts. Leela’s programs provide infrastructure to support tradition bearers, rigorous training to develop the next generation of artists, and engage audiences in order for our artists to truly serve the communities in which they live.