Grantee Database

Shruti Abhishek Dance

Grant Year

2026-27

Grant Program

Impact Projects

Award Amount

$17,500.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, Shruti Abhishek Dance will produce Kismet with Kali, a community-engaged dance-theater project developed through ongoing collaboration with Narika South Asian domestic violence survivors advocacy organization based in Fremont. The project centers stories and voices of South Asian women through bi-weekly movement workshops with Narika’s community of survivors, work-in-progress performances that bring community members into the creative process, and the development of a full-length dance-theater work exploring the mythology of the goddess Kali as a lens for mental health and trauma in the South Asian diaspora. The work features an original score by composer Sindhu Natarajan rooted in Theyyam, a ritual art form of Kerala, with choreography drawn from Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance. The project culminates in a public premiere at the SF International Arts Festival in spring 2027.

Organization Summary

Creating & Presenting Live Performances – Original performances choreographed and danced by Shruti Abhishek and collaborators. Current projects include Kismet with Kali and As You Are full-length dance-theater collaboration featuring South Asian women’s stories and voices.

Arts Practice Community Engagement – Ongoing weekly workshops with Narika Foundation’s community of South Asian women domestic abuse survivors; producing in-house community engaged performances in collaboration with survivors who otherwise would not be able to access performances.

Producing and co-curating two festivals – Varnam Salon series of performances by California-based senior art practitioners, mid-career artists, and emerging choreographers; and When Eyes Speak South Asian Choreography festival showcasing a wide range of South Asian movement forms including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Chhau, contemporary Indian, theater, fusion, and other styles.

Kshetram School of Dance – Intergenerational dance institution founded in 2018. Kshetram helps keep Indian traditions alive in California, while offering space to reflect on how Indian traditions continue to transform, evolve, and grow with each new generation.

ArtEchoes Series – An initiative to inspire and educate kids through live performances. The series provides opportunities for young audiences to learn, be inspired, and engage with the artists in candid conversations about their practice.

Rhythm Plays with Nadhi Thekkek – An open-level Bharatanatyam workshop for those who have always wanted to learn and have fun with this beautiful dance form.

Organization

Shruti Abhishek Dance

Address

1524 Murdell Lane

Livermore

94550

County

Alameda

Region

Bay Area – Other

Website

Email

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