Shambhavi Dandekar
In 2021, Shambhavi ji introduced the pathbreaking Distance Learning Program for adult beginners in Kathak under the auspices of SISK. In a matter of two years, hundreds of students from various cities of the USA and from Canada, India, Middle East, U.K., Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Russia are learning Kathak through video lessons created by her.
Very recently, Shambhavi ji was recognized as one of the ‘101 social change makers of Silicon Valley’ by the UK based organization ‘A Human Atlas’. The project is titled ‘De.Coded’ and it is in the form of a coffee table book combined with a phone app.
She gave solo performances at the Indian Embassies and Indian Consulates in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland in 2023.
PC: Omkar Kolangade
Few artists have the power to create an indelible impact on the minds of their audiences through their art form and one such name in the world of Kathak dance is Shambhavi Dandekar. Shambhavi Dandekar, as an accomplished Indian Classical Kathak master performer, has carved a niche for herself through her sheer talent, unique performances and unparalleled choreography, that has brought her recognition on the global platforms.
As a young dancer, Shambhavi ji started her training under the able guidance of her own mother and renowned Guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe, a celebrated dancer and a teacher from Pune, India. Shambhavi ji then went on to receive intense training in ‘Laya and Tala’ or the aesthetics of Indian Rhythm from Tabla virtuoso 'Taalyogi' Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. Along with her top-notch traditional dance training, Shambhavi ji also has a strong academic background with a Bachelors in Commerce and two Masters degrees in Dance. Furthermore, she also holds Diplomas both in French and Sanskrit.
She has performed in Japan, China, Middle East, Canada, Australia and Singapore; needless to mention many reputed venues and dance festivals in India and USA. She is a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO. ‘Singaar Mani’, ‘Nritya Ratna’, ‘Bharatashree’, ‘Kala Teertha’ are some of the prestigious titles awarded to her in India. She is also a proud recipient of ‘P. L. Deshpande Youth Award’.
PC: Shivani Hawkins
She is an A grade artist of Indian National Television. Her performances and interviews have been telecast on TV channels of the USA, Australia, Japan, Singapore and India.
Shambhavi ji’s rich heritage enables her to impart Kathak training in an authentic and traditional way. However, despite her traditional training, she has broken the bounds of the traditional repertoire and produced innovative masterpieces. Her story-telling in Kathak is unparalleled.
She began her teaching career in 1991, under the umbrella of her mother’s dance institute Maneesha Nrityalaya. She founded ‘Shambhavi’s International School of Kathak’ or SISK in 2010. The mission of SISK is to promote Kathak dance across the globe to enrich the quality of life through the pursuit of dance. Soon after, in 2012 she moved her base to San Francisco, California.
SISK is based out of the San Francisco Bay area. Shambhavi ji trains adult students of various levels, aspiring to fulfill their dreams of pursuing Kathak. Furthermore, she invests the majority of her time in training advanced level students and teachers across the USA in mastering the art.
PC: Marcus Lyon
Her years of experience, intellectual understanding and analysis of the art form, has helped her create stellar performers out of her dedicated students. Many of her students have emerged as Kathak professionals. SISK serves as an umbrella organization to a number of dance institutes founded and run by Shambhavi’s senior disciples in various parts of the world. SISK alumni are making their impact through various aspects of Kathak such as Dance Therapy, Dance Publication, Dance Training, Dance Journalism, Dance Accessories Retail, etc.
She has initiated various Kathak related activities not only in the Bay Area but throughout North America. Initiatives such as Gurukul Kathak Retreat, Baithak series, Riyaz Challenge, Watch-n-Learn Series, biennial student recital ‘Darpan’, conducting Dance and music certification exams offered By Bharati Vidyapeeth University are to name a few.
She also earned two fantastic reviews in the New York Times for her solo performances. In 2019 She worked as a panelist in the 41st San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
During the pandemic, she has proved to be a constant source of knowledge to the young Kathak practitioners across the globe. Her online Masterclass series has received a mind blowing response and has been attended by over 500 Kathak students.
Ms. Dandekar stood at the front of the stage tapping the heels and balls of her feet with spry clarity. Seeing it was one thing, but hearing it was another: in an instant the space reverberated with the restorative peal of bells. Can sound shimmer? In this case it did….
-GIA KOURLAS, The New York Times
Her relaxed manner gave her spins the lightness of a breeze. Her sweet enjoyment was a joy to behold…
-BRIAN SIEBERT, The New York Times
Shambhavi’s international School of Kathak
Background
‘Shambhavi’s International School of Kathak’ or SISK, is the brainchild of Kathak Guru Shambhavi Dandekar. Through her successful career since 1990, Shambhavi ji has carved a niche for herself as a master performer-choreographer, a successful teacher and art entrepreneur. After working for 20 years in India as a branch head of alma mater Maneesha Nrityalaya, Shambhavi ji established SISK in 2010. Soon after, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. The move led to the inception of SISK in the USA.
Mission
The mission of SISK is to promote Kathak dance across the globe to enrich the quality of life through the pursuit of dance.
Activities
Shambhavi ji invests her time in training senior level students in mastering the art, some of whom are directors of prominent Kathak dance schools in the country. She also trains a large number of adult students at various levels and helps them fulfill their dream to pursue the beautiful art form while managing their work. She regularly conducts online masterclasses which are attended by students from all over the world.
In January 2021, Shambhavi ji introduced the pathbreaking Distance Learning Program for adult beginners in Kathak under the auspices of SISK. Close to a hundred students from 10 countries and 60 cities across the globe have started learning Kathak through video lessons created by Shambhavi ji.
SISK has initiated various Kathak related activities not only in the SF Bay Area but throughout North America. Activities such as Gurukul Kathak Retreat, Baithak series, Riyaz Challenge, Watch-n-Learn Series, biennial student recital ‘Darpan’ as well as Dance and music certification exams By Bharati Vidyapeeth University are to name a few.
SISK student body
Shambhavi ji’s years of experience, intellectual understanding and analysis of the art form, have helped her create stellar performers out of her dedicated students. Many of her students have emerged as Kathak dance professionals. SISK serves as an umbrella organization to a number of dance institutes founded and run by Shambhavi ji’s senior disciples in various parts of the world. SISK alumni are making their impact through various aspects of Kathak such as Dance Therapy, Dance Publication, Dance Training, Dance Journalism, Dance Accessories Retail, etc.
SISK performing troupe
SISK Dance Ensemble, the performing troupe of SISK has danced at prestigious occasions in many parts of the world. In the USA, they have performed at the Ethnic Dance Festival, San Francisco International Arts Festival, Prasada Festival, Sanskriti Festival, Amrican Natya Festival, among other prestigious venues and occasions. SISK Dance Ensemble also did a successful seven city USA tour of ‘Horizons...Kathak and beyond’, a dance production exploring the unique facets of Kathak dance. The Ensemble also performed in Dubai at an International India Convention.
