About Srishti Dances of India

Srishti Dances of India ("Srishti") is a Pittsburgh based dance company. Srishti's mission is to disseminate India's cultural heritage through performances of Indian classical dance, music and theatre in both their traditional form, and through collaborations with performing artists from around the world. In addition, the company endeavors to educate and enhance audience appreciation of such classical arts through exhibits, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, master classes, multi-media presentations and academic presentations at national dance conferences.

Srishti specializes in Indian classical dance in the Odissi style and endeavors to mount productions that showcase Indian classical dance in both traditional and contemporary frameworks. The company's productions are marked by artistic excellence and innovative choreography. Performances have been critically acclaimed in the local press such as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Srishti’s productions of “Chitrangada” (2001) and “Shatarupa” (2003) were named in the year’s 10 best by the newspaper. Srishti’s performances have also received enthusiastic reviews in the national media such as Dance Magazine. The company has also been acclaimed by media in other cities. Srishti tours annually to several U.S. cities with productions that include leading artists from India. It has developed a substantial, diverse and loyal audience base.

Srishti is led by Sreyashi Dey, an accomplished classical dancer in the Odissi and Bharata Natyam styles. Sreyashi has received many accolades during the course of her dance career and most recently was honored with the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award in the "To Watch in Dance" category, by The Pittsburgh Magazine of WQED, Pittsburgh Public Television. She was also named a "Top 50 Cultural Force in Pittsburgh" in 2002 by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. In addition to her career in Dance, Sreyashi has an M.B.A and has had a successful corporate career. She is well positioned to lead the company in both artistic and organizational roles.

Srishti has a dance school where rigorous training is imparted to a new generation of young dancers. Srishti invites leading Gurus and performers of Odissi to conduct workshops and master classes as well as provides them opportunities to perform in Pittsburgh.

Since its inception Srishti has strived to present Indian classical art in a contemporary framework. The company has successfully reached large diverse audiences and created meaningful and enduring cultural experiences for its patrons. A sampling of audience and press responses:

“It was fabulous! Thank you so much. You all did a wonderful job. What a privilege it is to have you work in this community.” - Susan Blackman, Director, PA Partners Program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

“Thanks - it was lovely as usual! Glad it was such a big success for you.” - Mary Navarro, Program Officer, Heinz Endowments

“As fall approaches, I always look forward to Srishti Dance Co. performance and I am never disappointed. The beauty, grace and staging of Indian dance to me is spectacular. What a performance! As I was leaving the theater, I walked to my car with a woman who was from Phoenix here for a reunion. I asked her how did she hear about Srishti and she had seen the article in the paper and loves Indian dance so she came. She thought your performance was wonderful.” - Diane Hunt, Program Officer, Allegheny Regional Asset District

“.. rich in the myth and that unending curl of beauty that is Odissi dance...even pain and suffering are elegantly portrayed in its soft sculptural movements so deliciously intricate as the waves of dance unfold between face and hands and feet…abhinaya solos full of varied musical textures and tempi and featuring detailed facial expressions…the first wonderfully interpreted by Dey…” - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“The program was great. You are a pride for our community.” - Dr. Sati Mazumdar, Univ. of Pittsburgh

“I saw your performance on Sunday and wanted to congratulate you on a spectacular show. My mother came with me, and we both thought the performance was awesome!” - Michelle Peters

“Congratulations on your brilliant performance of Shatarupa! It was a great show & was well choreographed and the costumes very lovely!! Though I had previously seen you perform, all I did this time was to watch your steps, your grace, movements etc. It was a totally different perspective with which I saw everything.” - Radha Murthi

The company is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has been designated a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. The company's activities are directed by a five-member board of Directors. Three of the Directors have Ph.D.s in their fields and three have M.B.A.s. In addition, Srishti is advised by a group of Pittsburgh-area professionals with collective expertise in the arts, academia, business and administration.