Shruti Abhishek

🪔 About

Shruti Abhishek is an Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Bharatanatyam. Her initial training began in Mumbai with Rohini M. Singhi. She further pursued a performing arts degree from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and holds a Political Science and Philosophy major from Jai-Hind College in Mumbai. Abhishek continues her advanced training under Vaibhav Arekar from Mumbai, whose guidance has significantly shaped her artistic practice. Throughout her career, Shruti Abhishek has performed extensively in solo, duet, and ensemble productions across India, Europe, and the U.S. She was a part of numerous dance productions and tours with Sankhya Dance Company, directed by Vaibhav Arekar. Currently, she serves as a Principal Dancer, Creative Coach, and Rehearsal Director at Nava Dance Theatre, founded by Nadhi Thekkek. In 2018, Shruti Abhishek founded Kshetram, an intergenerational Bharatanatyam institution based in Livermore and Pleasanton, California. Kshetram offers a structured, seven-year curriculum that teaches Bharatanatyam, including adavus (basic steps), slokas from the Abhinaya Darpana, and rhythmic frameworks (Talam). The institution aims to sustain and evolve the tradition of Bharatanatyam, honoring its roots while allowing for transformation and growth across generations. Beyond her performances and teaching, Abhishek is also a curator. She co-curates two Bay Area festivals: Varnam Salon, which showcases performances by California-based senior art practitioners, mid-career artists, and upcoming dancers, and When Eyes Speak. Her work often explores themes of mythology, relationships, identity, and the complexities of her immigrant identity, engaging in a dialogue between traditional repertoire and contemporary lived experiences.