Leela Dance Collective

Leela Dance Collective mourns the passing of kathak legend, Pandit Birju Maharajji. His passing is a profound loss for the kathak tradition, Indian classical art, and the world. Maharajji was an unparalleled artist and his work has shaped the art of kathak for almost half a century. We bow to him and to all the giants of Indian classical dance and music of his generation that are leaving us. We will be eternally grateful for their vision, artistry, knowledge, and leadership in advancing Indian's artistic and cultural heritage.

Attention all filmmakers! Submissions are open for the 20th annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, running April 28 - May 1, 2022. IFFLA showcases an outstanding program of films about India and the Indian diaspora, and hosts the highly anticipated opening and closing red carpet galas and awards ceremony. Films compete for Jury and Audience Choice Awards for Best Feature Film and Best Short Film. Submit your features and shorts before the final deadline - Jan 18, 2022. For more details, visit www.filmfreeway.com/iffla

We only have two days left to reach our goal of raising $40,000 by the end of the year. With two days left in the year, we've raised $31,593 - that's almost 80% of our goal! Please consider making a year-end gift today. Your contribution will help us support more artists, produce more free community performances, and create the next generation of artists and leaders. Thank you for your ... continued support and for being part of our community. To make a contribution, visit www.leela.dance/donate #patronofthearts #kathaklove

We've set a goal of raising $40,000 by the end of the year, and we have four days left to reach our goal! So far we've raised $19,340, but we still have a long way to go! In September 2021, Leela Dance Collective premiered ReSound, a 10-day festival that brought workshops and free kathak performances into the diverse neighborhoods and communities all over Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. In a traditional performance, there is a division and a physical distance be...tween the stage and audience. With ReSound, we were literally dancing in the streets, with spectators only a few feet away. It was a powerful and immediate experience for audiences and dancers alike, and we loved getting to know and connect with so many new community members! When you make a contribution to Leela Foundation, you are making it possible for even more people to experience kathak dance through free performances and hands-on experiences.Become a Patron of the Arts today! #patronofthearts #leelafoundation #kathaklove

Leela Youth Dance Company is more than a world-class dance training program. It is a leadership program that uses classical dance training as a means for young women and girls to gain a deep understanding of their own identities, discover their voices and their role in the world, and become more socially conscious citizens. It’s truly an inspiration to see the changes in these young women on a daily basis: how they walk into a room, how they talk about themselves, and the tre...mendous conviction they show at such a young age. When you support Leela Foundation, you are building support for future generations of artists, cultural ambassadors and leaders. #patronofthearts #leelafoundation #kathaklove

This week's donor spotlight features Seema Kantak. Seema first got involved with Leela when she enrolled her daughter in kathak classes in 2009. She shares with us how the dance and the Leela community have grown to be an integral part of both their lives. Click here to read the full interview: https://leela.dance/seema-kantak/

Artists are more than performers; they are also community builders, connectors, educators, and advocates. Leela Foundation was created with the aim of providing direct support to the artists who are leading the way in Indian classical dance and music, and in 2020, we began awarding fellowships that help to sustain these dedicated artists, and create platforms for their art to thrive and be seen. When you support Leela Foundation, you are making a real contribution and helpin...g to ensure a bright future for Indian classical arts and artists. Become a Patron of the Arts today! #patronofthearts #leelafoundation #kathaklove

This week's donor spotlight features Ravi Tilak. Ravi-ji is the Founder and President of Almex USA, Inc., the worldwide leader in metallurgical plants and process equipment supply. He is a scholar of the mythology, theology, and the sciences within Hindu and Sufi traditions, and is actively involved in several Indo-American philanthropic and community organizations. Click here: https://leela.dance/ravitilak/ to read more about his unique philosophy on life, energy, and the fundamental importance of art.

The Leela Academy is proud to present a 3-day workshop exploring the movement, rhythm and music of kathak dance. Ideal for students that are brand new to kathak dance. Workshop taught by senior disciple of Pt. Chitresh Das, Rina Mehta. February 2nd - February 4th... 6:30p - 8:00pm PST Cost: $35 LINK TO REGISTER: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws

Whether you are brand new to kathak or are looking to rekindle your passion for the dance, we have a class for you. Our virtual classes allow students to join in from anywhere in the world. Sign up today on our Facebook page (@theleelaacademy) by clicking on events, and choose which class you're eligible for. We are offering free trial classes for children, youth and adults from January 18th until January 31st. For more information and to get started, contact [email protected] See you soon!

Legacy // Joanna Meinl "My Guruji used to say, 'I taught you from here to there, now it's your responsibility to go beyond, but don't have the audacity to come back and show me. I know what you are capable of.' His legacy lives within many generations of artists and educators, who continue to pass on the tradition of Kathak and inspire others to transcend limitations, evolve and create." Dance artist and educator, Joanna Meinl, began dancing in 1990 at Ballet Etudes in Miami..., FL, training and performing ballet, jazz and hip-hop. Upon relocating to San Francisco, CA in 1995, she was introduced to Kathak at SFSU and began her 20-year journey studying with legendary master artist, Pandit Chitresh Das. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Dance Ethnology and became a performing member of the Chitresh Das Dance Company in 1998. Since then, Joanna has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and India as a soloist and with critically acclaimed productions including Darbar, Pancha Jati, Sampurnam, Sita Haran and Shiva. She is honored to continue her Guruji’s legacy performing with the Leela Dance Collective, most recently in Son of the Wind. As an instructor at the Chhandam School of Kathak since 1999, she has developed a passion for teaching over the years. _ Photo: Margo Moritz Photography See more

Soon, the United States of America will inaugurate our first female Vice President. While the pandemic will limit inaugural festivities, Oakland will proudly honor Vice-President Harris and President Biden with an online virtual inaugural ball! Music Director Michael Morgan has curated this celebration featuring many from Oakland’s vibrant arts community, along with greetings from our social, civic, and business leaders. Leela Dance Collective is proud to be featured within this exciting and important event in history. Streaming Sunday, January 17 at 3pm PST, and then available on-demand!

Have you gotten your copy? "A Guru’s Journey: Pandit Chitresh Das and Indian Classical Dance in Diaspora" was written by one of Leela Dance Collective's founding artists, Dr. Sarah Morelli. The book traces the life and innovations of Pandit Chitresh Das, his contributions to kathak dance, and his continuing legacy, ultimately detailing the creation of a new kathak gharana (a school representing a particular lineage and stylistic tradition in Indian classical music and dance).... The University of Illinois Press is offering 50% all books--e-books, hardcovers, and paperbacks from now until December 31st using Promo Code Holiday50 That means, NOW is the time to get your own copy of A Guru’s Journey or gift a copy to someone else! https://www.press.uillinois.edu//99cnk8ew9780252042867.html

T-3 Days until the exclusive fireside chat with kathak artist Rachna Nivas and tech leader and philanthropist Minoo Gupta. Join us for a virtual conversation that will take you through the lens of Indian arts and delve into the importance of pursuing art in your life, lifting the human spirit through art and nature, and why supporting Indian art matters so much. Featuring excerpts of world-class productions by the renowned Leela Dance Collective. Jigyasa: An Explor...ation of Joy benefits the Leela Endowment, the first and only self-standing endowment for Indian classical dance and music. Help build a vibrant future for India's artistic and cultural heritage by making a contribution. Register today https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jigyasa-exploration-of-joy-tic See more

The Leela Academy is thrilled to announce the start of its Spring 2021 session beginning January 17th, 2021. Whether you are brand new to kathak or are looking to rekindle your passion for the dance, we have a class for you. Our virtual classes allow students to join in from anywhere in the world. Register now to receive 10% off and begin your journey in kathak! For more information and to enroll, contact [email protected]

We stomped, spun and smiled. We had a wonderful time with those who attended our workshops these past few weeks with founding artist Rina Mehta of Leela Dance Collective. It was a great way to end the year and we look forward to offering many more in the upcoming year. For information on our classes and upcoming workshops, email us at [email protected] or call us at 310-987-7809. To learn more about The Leela Academy, visit our website at www.leela.dance In partnership wi...th Leela Los Angeles, Leela Dance NYC Initiative, Chhandam School of Kathak, Sureela Academy and Ensemble Repost Leela Los Angeles

Chhandam School of Kathak’s 7th interview in their exclusive interview series- ‘The Making of the California Gharana’ is with Ronda Berkeley. Read about a rarely told aspect of Chhandam’s history with this interview of the lovely Ronda Berkeley! You may not have known that Pandit Das used to travel to Los Angeles regularly to teach and choreograph for the famed Aman Folk Ensemble of the 70s and 80s. Read about Ronda’s experience as part of Aman and her study of Kathak with Pa...ndit Das through this bridge. Read her interview at Kathak.org/blog See more

EXCITING NEWS! Since its founding in 2016, Leela Dance Collective has been performing nationally and internationally with a home base in Los Angeles. We have also been in close partnership with our affiliate organizations, Chhandam School of Kathak in San Francisco, Sureela Academy and Ensemble in Denver, and the Leela Dance NYC Initiative in New York. We are now excited to announce that as we step into 2021 we are proud to be bringing all four organizations together unde...r one unified brand - the Leela Institute of Kathak. Our work entails three focuses: the Leela Dance Collective as our professional touring company, Leela Academy - our training and education centers, and Leela Foundation - our vision to build a sustainable financial infrastructure for Indian art. We can’t wait to continue our work together as a now global initiative to advance Indian classical dance. Stay tuned for the launch of our new website and other exciting reveals for 2021 and beyond! See more

Legacy // Cimeron Ahluwalia I grew up half Sikh Punjabi, half Armenian Irish American on the West Coast. I never thought such an ancient art form could be relatable or translatable in a modern world. But in Kathak and studying with Guruji, I found an evolving energy of connection on and off the dance floor that transcends time. The sheer power of that connection feels undeniable, necessary and an honor to be part of. Dancer and arts advocate, Cimeron Ahluwalia began her st...udy of Kathak with the late Pandit Chitresh Das at San Francisco State University, where she assisted his two-unit accredited course for over 3 years. Traveling both nationally and internationally to India with Pandit Das, she has performed with the Chitresh Das Dance Company in such productions- Sanpurnam, Sita Haran, Yatra, and Shiva. In 2012, she performed her first traditional Kathak solo in San Francisco. She is honored to continue the tradition, performing most recently with Leela Dance Collective in Son of the Wind. Alongside her performing career, Cimeron had the great opportunity to train directly under Pandit Das, assisting many of his high-level classes. Since 2003, she has continued her passion as a teacher at Chhandam School of Kathak. _ Photo: Margo Moritz Photography See more

The Leela Academy brings you a 4-week virtual workshop for students (ages 18+), exploring the lightning fast footwork, swift pirouettes, and dynamic movement of kathak dance. November 1st - November 22nd Sundays 10am - 11:30am PST / 1pm - 2:30pm EST... Cost: $70 Register today and join our global community of kathak enthusiasts! For more info and to enroll email us at [email protected] or call us at 310-987-7809. For more information on The Leela Academy, visit our website at www.leela.dance See more

Remembering the soulful voice of Pt. Debasish Sarkar in the invocation for SPEAK. In this clip, Debashisda sings a shloka paying homage to the great Goddess Ma Durga, the Mother Divine with her many forms of female power.

The Leela Academy is excited to present an Art of Kathak workshop for adults! In this four week workshop, students learn rhythm, movement, and the fundamental basics of Kathak. October 29th - November 19th Every Thursday ... 6:30 - 8:00pm PST Cost: $70 To register, email us at [email protected] or call us at 310-987-7809. For more information on The Leela Academy, visit our website at www.leela.dance.

With a heavy heart, the Leela Dance Collective is deeply saddened to share the devastating news of Pt. Debasish Sarkar’s passing. To us, he was so much more than an artist in residence of the Leela Dance Collective. He was family. And he was someone that our founding artists have known and worked closely with for over 20 years. As far as Indian classical dance and music is concerned he was a treasure and a legacy unto himself. With his passing, we have lost yet another fountain of knowledge and artistry. His voice and music were integral to Pandit Chitresh Das’ legacy and we will not be able to replace him. We pray for his peaceful transition to his new heavenly abode and we join our sisters and brothers across the globe in mourning this heart wrenching loss for us all.

Dance & Prana // Kathak Yoga Inspired by the saints of India, who would push physical, mental and spiritual boundaries to attain liberation, Pandit Chitresh Das created this unique and rigorous practice in which the dancer performs compositions through footwork, simultaneously reciting the underlying rhythmic structure, singing, and playing an instrument. This practice is referred to as a type of yoga because it requires the dancer to integrate mind, body, and spirit, and ult...imately achieve a pure oneness through dance. Nothing exemplifies the connection between dance and prana like kathak yoga. Join us for a conversation with kathak artist Rina Mehta and philanthropist and business leader Ravi Tilak that explores prana as the foundation and expression of dance. Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST REGISTER TODAY! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-and-prana-tickets-122348

Meet Rina Mehta // One of our Dance & Prana speakers. An artist and an entrepreneur, Rina Mehta brings a singular voice and vision to the art form of kathak. She displays her depth of training with kathak master, Pt. Chitresh Das, an unshakeable grounding in tradition and a pioneering spirit on and off the stage. Described as regal and brilliant by critics, her performances and artistic work are paving a path forward for the legacy of Pt. Chitresh Das and kathak dance ...itself. Join Rina in an illuminating conversation with philanthropist, business leader and philosopher Ravi Tilak exploring the intersection of dance and prana. Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST REGISTER TODAY! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-and-prana-tickets-122348

Dance & Prana // Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST Because I have been a student of philosophy, mythology, and theology, I have found time and again that artistic expression, in all its forms, intersects these three fields. This is what has drawn me to art. Ravi Tilak Prana is breath, energy, consciousness. Often translated as ‘vital air’, prana defies definition. According to India’s ancient texts, the Upanishads, it is the underlying principle of life and is... often equated to the soul. According to yoga guru, B.K.S. Iyengar, it is the energy permeating the universe at all levels physical, mental, intellectual, sexual, spiritual, and cosmic. In the Indian tradition, there are vast disciplines dedicated to healing and expanding prana including ayurveda, tantra and yoga. Unexamined for its profound power to awaken and animate prana, is nrittya or dance. According to kathak master and guru, Chitresh Das, prana must be the foundation and expression of dance. Kathak’s physical rigor, rhythmic precision, dynamic movement, sophisticated musicality and refined emotional expression place extraordinary demands on the dancer. As the dancer reaches to meet these demands in practice and performance, he or she taps into profound reservoirs of energy or prana within and beyond. This process is physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual and over time, it opens up a gateway for the dancer to connect with the divine. Dance and Prana is a conversation between kathak artist Rina Mehta, and business leader and philanthropist Ravi Tilak that explores the intersection of dance and consciousness. JOIN THE CONVERSATION on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST REGISTER TODAY! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-and-prana-tickets-122348

Chhandam School of Kathak's 6th interview in their exclusive interview series- ‘The Making of the California Gharana’ is with Noelle Barton. You are in for a real treat with this incredible interview of Noelle Barton - the most vivid storyteller of all our gurudidis! Read her many scintillating stories during her time in the 70s and 80s performing, organizing, and promoting the teachings of Pandit Das she so deeply imbibed. Read her interview at Kathak.org/blog

Have you registered for our first virtual gala this Sunday, September 20? Kabir Das, India's celebrated poet-saint has inspired philosophers, devotees, and artists for over five centuries with his poems of truth and devotion. Renowned vocalist, Saili Oak transforms his poetry into music at The Leela Institute's first virtual gala. Register now to reserve your spot for exclusive concert! www.leela.dance/pragati ______... This an excerpt from Magan Rehna, one of Kabir Das' most beloved and widely performed poems, affirming the true relationship between the devotee and the divine. See more

Chhandam School of Kathak's 5th interview in their exclusive interview series- ‘The Making of the California Gharana’ is with Christopher Ris. Learn about sarod artist Christopher Ris, student of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan since 1971 and Pandit Das’ primary accompanist for almost two decades. Learn about his journey studying in the early days of Ali Akbar College of Music, touring with Pandit Das, and recording iconic pieces for the Chitresh Das Dance Company that remain part of the fabric of Chhandam’s curriculum and repertoire for 40 years! Read his interview at Kathak.org/blog

Legacy // Rina Mehta What I learnt from Guruji is this - joy, love, freedom and god are both human necessities and birthrights. Understanding and realizing them requires blood, sweat and tears - on and off the dance floor. I am not quite sure about being a 'legacy-bearer'. I do know that I feel called to walk with others in the guise of teacher, performer, and kathaka - helping them strive and struggle towards their own discovery of these truths. Rina Mehta is a founding ar...tist of the Leela Dance Collective. Her original works include SPEAK, Chandanbala and Son of the Wind. Prior to her work with the Leela Dance Collective, Rina was a principal dancer with the Chitresh Das Dance Company. She has also been a dedicated kathak educator for more than 15 years- She is the founder of The Leela Academy, which provides comprehensive education in kathak dance to children, teens and adults. Rina’s work is grounded in the belief that Kathak dance can be a powerful tool for empowerment and social change. She is the recipient of the prestigious Fulbright award and researched the effectiveness of Kathak dance education as a social intervention in underprivileged communities in Mumbai, India. Rina’s most ambitious initiative is The Leela Endowment, the first and only initiative of its kind, aimed at providing the financial infrastructure necessary for dancers to thrive and continue to advance India’s rich artistic heritage. _ Photo: Margo Moritz Photography