Daksha Sheth

🪔 About

Daksha Sheth, born in 1952 in Ahmedabad, India, is a renowned contemporary Indian classical dancer and choreographer known for her innovative approach that blends traditional forms with modern aesthetics. She began her extensive training in Kathak under esteemed gurus such as Kumudini Lakhia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, and Mohan Rao Kalyanpurkar. Sheth further expanded her artistic vocabulary by learning Mayurbhanj Chhau from Krishnachandra Nayak, Shrikant Sen, and Lal Mohan Patra. Her diverse training also includes Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art, under Govindan Kutty Nair and Satyanarayana Nair, and the study of Braj poetry under Kalyan Prasad Sharma in Vrindavan. She gained recognition as a Kathak dancer in the 1980s before embarking on an exploration of various movement idioms, seamlessly integrating Kathak, Chhau, Kalaripayattu, and Mallakhamb into her choreographic works. Sheth is credited as the first Indian choreographer to introduce aerial techniques in dance. In 1993, she established the Daksha Sheth Dance Company in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where she trains artists and provides a platform for their performances. Her critically acclaimed productions include 'Search for My Tongue,' 'Sarpagati,' and 'Bhukham.' Sheth's husband, Devissaro, an Australian-born musician and photographer, serves as the technical director and music composer for the company. Their daughter, Isha Sharvani, is a prominent dancer within the company, and their son, Tao, has also performed. A documentary film titled 'A Life in Dance - Daksha Sheth,' produced by Antara Kak and Siddharth Kak, received a National Award, highlighting her significant contributions to the field. Awards & Honours: Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2002), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Creative and Experimental Dance.