The Shakti Annual Recital offers students the opportunity to work together as a class, learn new choreography with music, practice memorization techniques, follow directions, build confidence and share the important work they have developed that year!
Shakti performs at the Annual Festival of Chariots (Rath Yatra).
The word Aranga means raised stage. Etram means climbing. Arangetram means – reaching the stage. It is a rite of passage ceremony where the Guru presents her disciple to the public. After several years of training and preparation students perform a solo dance performance on stage for the public with live music accompaniment by master artists. The Arangetram celebrates a milestone in the students training in the dance and signals the beginning of a new chapter of discovery and deeper engagement in the artform.
Vijayadashmi Festival honors Saraswati the Goddess of Learning and the Arts. The festival is celebrated in Sept/Oct. The students lovingly prepare to dance and celebrate together. This is the chance for family and friends to see senior shakti dancers, alumni, the youngest as well as brand new enrollments to the school are inaugurated. Joy, dance, and food bring the Shakti families together each year!
See Videos from our recent event - Basant Utsav Spring Dance Festival!
The Shakti Dance Company -the performing division of the school- has toured nationwide, performed at the World Festival of Sacred Music – Los Angeles, the International Festival in Guadalajara under the auspices of the Foundation for World Arts, Hollywood Bowl’s Summer Sounds, Annual LA County Holiday Celebration, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center in Los Angeles and more.
Established in 1981, the Shakti Dance Company is based in Los Angeles, California. All performing members have had several years of training and have completed their arangetrams (solo dance debuts.) The average dance experience of the senior Shakti Dance Company member is 8-12 years.
Renowned dancers from India, US, Malaysia and other parts of the world are an integral part of the Shakti Dance Company. The company’s orchestra of world-class musicians from India, US and Canada provide vital musical accompaniment for all performances.
Shakti School of Bharata Natyam is a premier institution of Bharata Natyam (Classical dance of Southern India) in Southern California. Artistic Director, Viji Prakash teaches the Thanjavur style of Bharata Natyam characterized by its grace and vigor. Founded in 1977, Viji has provided instruction to over 2000 students in the art form. Over 300 students have performed solo dance debuts (Arangetram) and have toured India and the USA as members of the Shakti Dance Company, winning international awards and recognition.
Classes range from beginner, intermediate and advanced and taught at four locations: West LA, Valley, Torrance, Orange.
