Anjali Keshava

🪔 About

Anjali Keshava, born in Basel, Switzerland in 1979, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, and arts manager. The eldest daughter of pioneering Bharatanatyam dancers and yoga teachers D. Keshava and Esther Jenny, she was immersed in dance, music, and yoga from a young age. She began her Bharatanatyam training with her father at the age of five, performing with her parents and the Kalasri Children Dance Group. Her dedication to dance led her to pursue further education in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Carnatic music (including singing and flute) in cultural hubs like Bangalore, Mysore, and Kolkata. She continues to deepen her knowledge and practice with her parents. In 1995, at the age of 16, Anjali Keshava successfully completed her Arangetram, her solo debut, marking her decision to pursue a professional dance career. In the same year, she was engaged as a dance soloist in the Bregenz Festival production of the opera "Francesa da Rimini" after an appearance on Swiss TV. She performs extensively as a soloist and with the Kalasri Dance Ensemble, gracing stages and festivals across Switzerland, India, Germany, Austria, and France. Her performances have also been broadcasted by Swiss and Indian television. Anjali Keshava is a vital part of Kalasri, the School of Indian Dance and Yoga founded by her parents in Basel in 1976. She has been teaching Bharatanatyam at Kalasri since 2004 and actively leads cultural projects and workshops in various schools across Switzerland. As a choreographer, she creates innovative productions, often in collaboration with her family members D. Keshava and Sumitra Keshava, blending traditional Indian dance with contemporary themes and other art forms. Notably, she choreographed a piece about a refugee woman from Ethiopia. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Anjali holds a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education (2003) and a Master of Advanced Studies in Arts Management (2008) from the University of Basel, integrating her diverse skills into her work. Her contributions to the arts were recognized early with a cultural advancement award for young talents in Basel in 1992. Anjali Keshava continues to be a cultural ambassador, promoting Indian art and philosophy through her performances, teaching, and artistic management, following in the footsteps of her pioneering family. Awards & Honours: Cultural advancement award for young talents (1992).