About Shivalee

From a young age of 5, dance has been at the core of Shivalee’s life. From classes, competitions, to workshops, and then expanding into her own choreography later on, dance has been one of the most important aspects of Shivalee’s life. Over the years, Shivalee has been exposed to many different forms of dance including some Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Salsa, Garba, Bhangra, Bollywood and more. However, Kathak has always been and will continue to be her main focus. Shivalee has trained in the Lucknow Gharana Style of Kathak from a young age under the tutelage of her Guru, Srimati Anuradha Nag, for 20 years. She has attended regular workshops with the late Pt. Birju Maharajji and Saswati Sen Didi.

She has represented Anuradha Didi’s School in the Bay Area, The Tarangini School of Kathak Dance, through various shows including:

The Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco
The International Kathak Festival in Chicago
The Indian Music Circle, in Dallas, TX
The Festival of the Silk Road
Kalamahotsav in the Bay Area

to name a few highlights of her many previous and ongoing performances.

At Tarangini, Shivalee also regularly assisted in teaching and choreographing for over 10 classes per week. Apart from teaching kathak classes, Shivalee also began studying movement and choreography in 2016 with video production creation presented on Youtube. This work involved creating and working with Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Oddisi, and Salsa dancers. Shivalee also promotes her choreography through workshops and has choreographed for several events.

Shivalee is also the recipient of the 2016 Indian Raga Fellowship being the first Kathak dancer to attend.

Now married and living in Southern California, Shivalee is embarking on a new journey and starting her own Kathak School with the ongoing guidance of her guru. Kathak has been both a source of constancy in her life and a fueling creative outlet. She hopes to pass on all that her guru has so endearingly taught her and carry this artform forward. Shivalee also hopes to continue choreographing and expanding her knowledge of movement and creation.

For more background on Shivalee’s Guru, Srimati Anuradha Nag, and the legacy of dance Shivalee comes from, please visit the “Legacy Page.”