The vision
Sri Shakti Academy is celebrating its twenty years of existence this month. One of the founding Gurus, Neesha Jhaveri, who is running the academy on her shoulders since more than a decade, recalls that initially the founders were only seeking a platform to dance in Hong Kong. Since Indian classical dances were unknown to the people of Hong Kong, it was essential to institutionalize the platform for sustenance and continuity. But as time passed and more students joined the academy, the mission transformed into demystifying the ancient Indian classical dances to the international audience and invite them to witness and participate in these art forms.
The beginning and the journey
Sri Shakti Academy began as a Sri Shakti Dance Company, founded by Priyadarshini Ghosh Shome, Nilima Bhat, Ranjini Menon and Neesha Jhaveri. Each a dancer, choreographer and producer, with a foundational practice in Mohiniattam, Integral Yoga, Bharatanatyam and Kathak, respectively. However, over a decade now, the academy is run solely under the guidance of Ms. Neesha Jhaveri and has been focussed on the Jankiprasad Style of Benaras Kathak . The academy currently has many students across all age groups and demographics, and continues to grow in size and outreach each year.
Figure 2Nritya Sandhya 2023. Guru Neesha Jhaveri (third from the left) performing with her students.
The Academy continues to seamlessly infuse Indian classical dances as a way of life. Usually, dance is perceived as events when a dancer adorns the finest of attires and appears with shringaar of jewelry and make up and sets a wave on the stage with lights, shadows, movements, and grace. Sri Shakti Academy humbly submitted to this vision except it further focused on transforming dance into everyday spiritual practices of breathing, movement, consciousness, and wisdom. It aimed at securing the union of spirit and matter, body, and soul.
Figure 3Maharaas, Krishnarpanam, 2024.
The upcoming show
To mark the event of its first production ‘Panchbhoota’ 20 years ago, the founding members of the academy along some artists who walked with them in the founding years, are coming together once again this 28th of April, to take us through their journeys from Nartakis to Yoginis. Through twenty years of Sadhana, each Nritya Yogini found their own expressive ways to pinnacle the fifth Mahashakti- Lalita Tripura Sundari. They have graciously invited us to witness their transformation at the City Hall Theatre of Hong Kong on the last Sunday of this month.
Contact and ticketing information
For program and ticketing enquiries, one may contact +852 9849 9826. Tickets cost 200HK$. Special discounts are available for full time students, senior citizens above 60 years of age, persons with disabilities and minders, at 100 HK$.Â
