Past Performances

Kathak and Lavani at Mudra Dance Festival at Philadelphia Ganesh Chaturthi at Bharatiya Mandir

Gurukul Performing Arts was invited for the second time to perform at the Mudra Dance Festival in PA as seva to ganpati Bappa on the auspicious occassion of Ganesh Chaturthi. We performed some of our most popular dances and were graced with huge compliments on a powerful performance.

Songs - Hey Ganaraya, Tarana, and Kashi mi Jau Mathurechya Bazari

Dancers - Shivani Badgi, Meghna Sharma, 3 senior students of Gurukul

Choreography - Shivani Badgi

Shringarik Lavani Solo at Silambham Phoenix

Another rendition of the solo Lavani show graced the stages of Scottsdale, Arizona this time. Through both modern and traditional Lavani dances, beautiful Marathi poetry, powerful movement, vibrant expressions, and heart-wrenching emotions, audiences for the Yuva Kala Samagam were taken on a journey.

Songs - Wajle Ki Bara, Chavat Bhunga, Kashi Mi Jau, Bai Ga, Chandra, and Jogiya poem by GaDiMa

Choreography - Shivani Badgi

The Tale of the Three Sisters for Summer Stages in Florence, Italy

Our programme started with one of my favorite pieces, Hey Ganaraya, and this time I was joined by two of my teachers, Dhara and Meghna, to make it an even more powerful show.

Then we delved into the “Tale of the Three Sisters”, taking a South Asian spin on the famous deathly Hallows story. We built the world of the elder wand, resurrection stone, and invisibility cloak through Kathak, Bollywood, Contemporary Fusion, Folk, Garba, Hip-Hop and more, in this 30- minute set. With multiple costume changes, a wide array of emotions, and pure energy, we did our best to convey the story to our audiences.

Dancers - Shivani Badgi, Dhara Patel, Meghna Sharma, Rachana Dubey, and students of Gurukul

Choreography - Shivani Badgi

Assistant Choreographers - Dhara Patel, Meghna Sharma, Rachana Dubey

Motherhood at Carnegie Hall with Gurukul Performing Arts

Our second time performing at Carnegie Hall, this time presenting a dance dedicated to Motherhood. Based off of passages from the children’s book

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Shringarik Lavani Solo at Navatman - 3 Night Run

Navatman invites you to an unforgettable evening of dance, music, and history in this world premiere of a full-length lavani concert by artist Shivani Badgi. Typically a style of dance that does not get its due credit due to various stigmas that surround its history, Shivani works intensive research on the form with her performance prowess to tell a story of love, loss, and joy in as you enter the lavish world of 1600s Maharashtra in an intimate, immersive setting where you become a part of the story.

Event Highlights:

A Unique Experience: Feel like a maharaja or a patron of the arts as you relax into a traditional ambiance - no traditional stage setting here! The ambiance, replete with traditional decor, flowers, and fabrics, transforms the space into a royal baithak, offering a glimpse into the kotas of days past.

Interactive Performance: Engage directly with the performance! Patrons are encouraged to dress in traditional Indian attire—bonus points for period-specific costumes. Enjoy the unique blend of live and recorded segments, original Marathi poetry, and captivating storytelling.
Exclusive Seating: With only 20 seats available per show, each performance promises an intimate, personal experience. Secure your place in one of our three exclusive shows to avoid missing out.
Culinary Delights: Savor the flavors of Mumbai street food, traditionally part of lavani shows. Let the scents and tastes transport you to the bustling streets of Maharashtra.

Gurukul at Disney World

Diwali Dance Fest at Walt Disney World Florida on October 26-29 2023

We have the ABSOLUTE pleasure and honor of announcing that @gurukulperformingarts will be participating in the first ever Indian Dance Festival to be held in the one and only WALT DISNEY WORLD!

We can’t wait to present our beautiful art and represent our lineage on such an incredible platform!

We are so thankful to @diwalidancefest, Jashn Productions, @rhythmicartsnj, and @cheekyjean for this amazing opportunity! We can’t wait to share the stage with all the incredible performers and studios from all around the country!

Nritya Mehfil

Solo Recital at West Windsor Arts Council on Saturday October 14th 2023

NRITYA MEHFIL is a Kathak solo presentation by Shivani Badgi. Kathak is a traditional dance form originating from the North of India hundreds of years ago. Deriving from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story, a Kathak dancer takes intricate rhythms, graceful movement, and captivating expressions to tell stories. Shivani will show both the emotions of the Bhakti movement (ideologies of love and devotion based in Hinduism), technique and mysticism of the Mughal Darbars (art originating from the courts of the Mughal empire), and modern stories specific to our world now. At the end of the programme, the space will open up for requests from the audience! Whether you would like to see an emotion that hasn't been explored yet, a specific piece from the Kathak repertoire that you enjoy, or even a song that has always enticed you, watch it come alive through Shivani's movement. Join us for an evening filled with music, dance, art, and history as you are transported to an Indian court-style Mehfil through all of your senses!

Shringarik Lavani at Erasing Borders Festival by IAAC at Ailey Citigroup Theater

Lavani, a traditional Indian folk style from the state of Maharashtra, is a wonderful harmony of music, poetry, rhythm, and love. Lavani is traditionally performed by a solo dance accompanied by a Dholak (traditional percussion drum like instrument) player. Unlike other styles of dance, our performer is talking directly to us, and telling us about her life. In this “Shringarik Lavani” piece the Lavani dance goes through multiple stages of love, showing her emotions through her movement and reciting beautiful poetry.

Present with a cast of 7 with Shivani Badgi (Dancer/Choreographer) , Raashi Desai (Dancer), Revati Mahurkar (Dancer), Pramoda Bapatla (Dancer), Pooja Sankhe (Dancer), Vaibu Mohan (Vocals), and Neil Khare (Dholki).

Rakta Devi at Aangan Dance Salon

Devi. Goddess. The ultimate energy of divine femininity. However, girls and women all across the world are taught that the biological processes that give us this energy every month are disgusting and dirty. In some parts of the world, women who are on their period are not allowed to enter places of worship or be near God. A girl is preparing in joy to visit the Mandir, or temple. But before she can take her first step inside, the priest tells her to leave and come back only when her period has finished. She is confused, how can something that is natural stop her from receiving peace and blessings from God? The blood starts coursing through her strongly. She vows to spread rivers of blood in front of every temple, until she is able to pray. Through Kathak and Tandav styles of dance I wish to tell a story that many women around the world feel every day. The stigma of periods causes women to feel "unclean" even when it is a normal and natural process of our bodies. Normalizing menstruation is one of the first steps in tapping into our divine feminine selves.

Run Time : 10 minutes

Indian Cabaret at Dixon Place

“Indian Cabaret”, takes brings dance styles that offer technique, entertainment, and a deep connection between the audience and women. The dances are on the theme of love in the modern era and have dialogue interwoven throughout. The Indian Cabaret show would have 3 components:

Mujra: The first stop in Indian Cabaret is the Mughal Era. Usually performed in “Kothas”, a dance sequence with elements of Kathak and ghazals.

Lavani: The next stop is during Shivaji’s rule (set for our purposes during a later time during the 1900s) at the Tamasha. Using classical and folk elements this part will explore Phadachi Lavani and Baithakichi (sitting) Lavani.

Item Songs: Ending with a modern-day Bollywood version of Cabaret dancing with item songs from the most classical moves. Usually influenced by Bihari rhythms and style, cabaret now has a completely new meaning.

Run Time : 30 minutes

Celestia at Manhattan Movement of Arts and Bridgewater Balaji Mandir

(Lead Choreographer and Lead Artiste)

Music is Emotion, and dance, stylized story-telling! Celestia is an engaging-enticing mélange of tales told through dance in Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Contemporary styles, and Hindustani music fusions. Revel in melody and movement, and luxuriate in the aesthetics of color, form and composition! Brought to NJ and NYC audiences by Renu Foundation for the Arts.

Run Times: 100 minutes

Samsara at Carnegie Hall with Gurukul Performing Arts

Gurukul was invited to perform an original piece entitled ‘Samsara” at the All Indian Festival at Carnegie Hall by Three Aksha. Samsara is the story of a beautiful tree who falls victim to environmental hazards through Hindustani classical music and Kathak. Original music by Rushi Vakil and choreography by Shivani Badgi and cast of 30 dancers from Gurukul Performing Arts.

Run time : 9 minutes

Shiva Stuti at Manavi Event at the Indian Consulate in NYC

Manavi Sexual Assault Awareness Month Event at the Indian Consulate in NYC. Performed two Kathak solo items of Shiva Stuti and Hope. Shiva Stuti choreographed by Guru Dr. Maya Rao and Hope choreographed by Shivani Badgi

Run Time : 10 minutes

Indian Cabaret at Tamasha 2019

American Cabaret originated from the French and was an entertainment show featuring dancers in a smaller venue with a seated audience. Frequently the show would feature singing, Jazz music, and even political satire. Indian cabaret has been popularized by actresses such as Helen as a unique dance style.

This version of The Indian Cabaret is different. It brings the audience Indian culture mixed with the spice of Bollywood that everyone knows and loves. We travel through time from the Tamashas of Shivaji’s rule, to the Kothas of the Mughal Era, all the way to the glittery bars of Bollywood, we promise to keep you entertained all the way.

“Sita’s Ramayan” at Philadelphia Museum of Art and FUNKAR

Performed “Sita’s Ramayan as part of a Diwali event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and FUNKAR at NYC Dance Week.

Sita's Ramayan is the result of a childhood filled with Hindu mythology and a present filled with women's empowerment. Growing up as an Indian American in the US, I listened to great stories of women in Hindu mythology, such as Sita. Sita was revered as this beautiful woman known for the devotion to her husband. After her husband, the King, is sent to exile, she goes with him because of how much she loves him. She is kidnapped by a demon king, and then again saved by her husband. This is usually where the story stopped.

However, after they return to their palace, her husband decides she is untouchable because of her kidnapping. He exiles her once more. She raises her children in the first, but one day meets him again. Before he takes her back he decides she must go through Agni Pariksha, trial by fire, to prove her purity once more. She decides, not this time.

So often Hindu mythology idolizes how quiet and devoted women were to their husbands. Through Kathak (North Indian classical art form characterized by spins, vigorous footwork, and graceful postures) dance and storytelling, I want to discover who Sita really was.

Beyond Bollywood at APAP Conference

Played the lead role of the mother as part of the show Beyond Bollywood taking place at the APAP Conference.

Beyond Bollywood is a musical choreographed and directed by Rajeev Goswami, music composed by Salim-Sulaiman, and lyrics done by Irfan Siddiqui.

Diwali at Times Square

Performed with the reputable Bollywood Choreographer, Terence Lewis. Had the chance to share the stage during his famed piece, Teri Deewani.

Terence Lewis is and Indian dancer and choreographer known for bringing Contemporary dance to India. He has choreographed for a multitude of movies and musical albums including Lagaan and Goliyon ki Rasleela: Ramleela. He is the Founder and Director of the Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company in Mumbai.

Devdas: A Dance Spectacle

Performed in the lead role of Paro from November 4th - November 20th at Theatre for a New City in New York, New York.

An old Indian story about love and loss, set in the story of a reality dance competition. Through the use of original music composed by Aalap Desai and innovative Indo-contemporary choreography by star choreographer Swarali Karulkar, Junoon Performing Arts and Hypokrit Theatre Company bring to the stage the oldest Indian love story, as its never been seen before, where women rule, and love and loss is just a transaction.

Tamasha 2016

Presenting some new work for the amazing upcoming festival Tamasha NYC! I always believe in using dance to make a difference. Using a combination of my favorite styles of dance, I am speaking out on an extremely important subject, especially for us women currently in college. Look out for more information and sneak peeks! Visit their website for more information: tamashanyc.org

Junoon Performing Arts Showcase

Performed original Kathak choreography of "Kaahe Chhede Mohe" from the movie Devdas at the Junoon Performing Arts Showcase June 2016 at Agnes Varis Center for the Performing Arts. Visit their website for more information about the company and future projects with them: junoonperformingarts.com

Broadway Dance Center Showcase

Performed to Deborah Wilson's jazz/heels choreography at the Broadway Dance Center Showcase in May 2016 at the Symphony Space in New York City. Visit their website for more information: broadwaydancecenter.com