The Dance Spotlight: VSDA’s Anandotsavam
‘Anandotsavam’ - 25th Annual Day
Annual days are our highly anticipated, school-wide event, where all the students and teachers perform on the same stage. This 25th Annual Day will be an ‘Anandotsavam’ - a Festival of Joy! It will showcase dancers of all levels accompanied by a live orchestra with esteemed musicians Smt. Asha Ramesh on the vocals, Sri Narayan Natarajan on the mridangam, and Smt. Shanthi Narayan on the violin. At this event, we will also recognize the invaluable contributions of local Bay Area artists and crew integral to our success.
Samavāya—an Immersive, In-person Workshop Exploring the Four-Body Connection
As part of Vishwa Shanthi Dance Academy’s 25th year celebrations, we are thrilled to introduce Samavāya—an immersive, in-person workshop exploring the Four-Body Connection: Deha (Physical), Manas (Mental), Bhava (Emotional), and Atma (Spiritual). Guided by four renowned and distinguished experts, this first-of-its-kind experience delves into how Bharatanatyam goes beyond movement, creating harmony between body, mind, emotions, and soul. Each session will unfold new layers of understanding, enriching both practice and performance. This exploration offers insights that can benefit dancers and non-dancers, fostering mindfulness, emotional awareness, and inner harmony. These workshops are open to all.
Trial Class
We invite you to join a trial class and explore the joy of dance. With structured programs designed for children and adults—ranging from foundational to advanced levels—our classes provide a nurturing space to grow, express, and connect through movement. Take the first step and experience it for yourself!
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Deha – Nourish Every Move
We had a remarkable start to Samavāya, our in-person workshop series exploring the Four-Body Connection in Bharatanatyam—Deha, Manas, Bhava, and Atma.
The first session, Deha - Nourish Every Move, was led by Pragalbha Doshi. Participants discovered the transformative power of breath, and how breath can aid movement, sustain energy, and alleviate physical strain. Pragalbha Doshi provided practical insights on integrating breath into choreography to enhance awareness, control, and movement precision. Each dancer received personalized consultations to ensure they could apply the learning to their own unique journey.
The journey continues as we explore Manas, Bhava, and Atma, delving deeper into the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the dancer.
Story Time session with Shreelata Suresh
On January 11th, VSDA hosted an engaging Story Time session with Shreelata Suresh, weaving together mythology, folklore, and the rich tapestry of Indian storytelling. Young minds were joyously immersed in enchanting tales of Ganesha, the origins of dance, and the wisdom of the Jataka tales, alongside lesser-known stories of Saraswati, Shiva, Parvati, and Lakshmi.
The children, sipping on hot chocolate, listened intently to the stories. Each story sparked their curiosity and led to engaging discussions, filling the morning with wonder and discovery. The session became more than just storytelling—it was a shared experience of learning, imagination, and joy.
Here’s a glimpse of our Story Time session.
