Shambhavi Desai

🪔 About

Shambhavi Desai is a classically trained Indian dancer, performing artiste, choreographer, and educator, primarily known for her work in Bharatanatyam. She is the founder and artistic director of Sanskruti School of Indian Dance and Music, located in Pittsburgh, U.S.. Desai's extensive training in Bharatanatyam began under her mother and guru, Smt. Tani Desai, who was a senior disciple of the late Smt. Anjali Medh of Kalakshetra, Chennai. She furthered her academic qualifications by earning 'Nritya Vishaarad' (equivalent to a B.A.) and 'Nritya Alankaar' (equivalent to an M.A.) from 'Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya' in Baroda. Her advanced training was guided by renowned dance exponents and gurus, Smt. Jaya Chandrasekhar and Padma Bhushan Shri C.V. Chandrasekhar. Beyond dance, Shambhavi Desai also has a strong foundation in Hindustani Classical Music. She commenced her early music training under the late Shri Madhav Rao Kavi, a disciple of the late Shri Vinayak Rao Patwardhan in Baroda. She holds a diploma in vocal music with honors from the Faculty of Performing Arts, M.S. University, Baroda. Since 1998, she has been a Shishya (senior disciple) of Pandita Tripti Mukherjee and is also a faculty member at the 'Pandit Jasraj Institute of Music'. Having resided in Pittsburgh since 1996, Desai established Sanskruti School of Indian Dance and Music to offer comprehensive training in Bharatanatyam, Lok Nritya (Folk dance), and Hindustani Classical, Semi Classical, and Devotional music. The school's mission is to promote Indian culture and performing arts through performances, workshops, and educational outreach programs. She has choreographed numerous dances, ranging from pure classical Bharatanatyam to folk and contemporary styles, and has performed extensively in India and the U.S., including dance ballets such as Kalidasa's 'Shakuntal', 'Chitrangada', 'Tana-Riri', and 'Murali-Taree Preet'. Awards & Honours: Best Dancer from the state of Gujarat.