Esther Jenny

🪔 About

Esther Jenny is a pioneering figure in the promotion of Indian classical dance in Europe, particularly Bharatanatyam. Born into an artistic family in Basel, Switzerland, she developed an early interest in dance and singing. At the age of 18, captivated by an Indian dance performance, she embarked on a journey to India in 1969 to immerse herself in the art form. She became the first European to study Bharatanatyam at the Fine Arts College in Mysore, South India. Her esteemed gurus included Padmashri Dr. Venkatalakshamma, a descendant of a respected temple dancer dynasty, and Vidwan D. Keshava, who would later become her husband. In 1974, Esther Jenny successfully completed her Arangetram, a debut solo performance of the entire Bharatanatyam repertoire, earning acclaim from expert audiences. Parallel to her dance training, Esther Jenny also pursued extensive studies in Yoga. She received training from renowned yoga guru Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Asthanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, and furthered her education with Yogiraj Deshikacharya and B.N.S. Iyengar. Since 1976, Esther Jenny and D. Keshava have performed extensively as the "Esther and Keshava" dancing couple, touring Switzerland and other European countries. They are credited as pioneers for introducing and popularizing expressive Indian dance, which was largely unknown in Europe at the time. Their performances, which also included successful tours in India, garnered excellent reviews. In the same year, 1976, they co-founded Kalasri – the first School of Indian Dance and Yoga in Switzerland, located in Basel. At Kalasri, Esther Jenny teaches Yoga, meditation, and specialized Yoga for expecting mothers, drawing upon her 35 years of experience and integrating knowledge of Ayurveda and massage. She imparts the South Indian School tradition of Asthanga, Hatha, and Vinyasa Yoga. The Kalasri Dance Ensemble, under the guidance of the Keshava family, presents a vast repertoire of Classical Indian Dance, primarily Bharatanatyam, but also incorporating Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Kathak styles, alongside folk dances and innovative choreographies. Esther Jenny's daughters, Anjali Keshava and Sumitra Keshava, have followed in their parents' footsteps, training as professional dancers and teaching at Kalasri, continuing the family's legacy as cultural ambassadors between India and Switzerland.