Shruti Abhishek

🪔 About

Shruti Abhishek is an accomplished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Bharatanatyam. Her journey in dance began in Mumbai, India, where she received her initial Bharatanatyam training from Rohini M. Singhi. She furthered her academic and artistic pursuits by earning a bachelor's degree in Performing Arts from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai. Additionally, she holds a Political Science and Philosophy major from Jai-Hind College, Mumbai. Abhishek continues to refine her artistic practice under the tutelage of Guru Vaibhav Arekar from Mumbai, whose guidance has significantly influenced her work. Abhishek is a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area's Indian classical dance community. She serves as a Principal Dancer, Creative Coach, and Rehearsal Director for Nava Dance Theatre, having joined the company in 2016. Her performance experience is extensive, encompassing solo, duet, and ensemble work across India, Europe, and the United States. She has toured widely with Vaibhav Arekar's Sankhya Dance Company and performed with Nava Dance Theatre. Her recent choreographic works include "As You Are," a dance-theater piece exploring women's stories, and "Kismet with Kali," a solo dance-theater work delving into mythology and personal narratives. In 2018, Shruti Abhishek founded Kshetram, a holistic Bharatanatyam institution based in Livermore and Pleasanton, California, where she serves as artistic director. Kshetram offers a structured seven-year curriculum designed to provide comprehensive training in Bharatanatyam. Beyond her teaching and performance, Abhishek is actively involved in curating dance festivals. She co-curates 'Varnam Salon,' a performance series for California-based Bharatanatyam artists, which she co-founded in 2018 with Nadhi Thekkek and Preethi Ramaprasad. She also co-curates 'When Eyes Speak,' San Francisco's first South Asian choreography festival, having joined the curatorial team in 2019. Additionally, she leads the 'Art Echoes' series, which facilitates lecture-demonstrations by South Asian diaspora artists.