Shila Mehta

Shila Mehta, an internationally renowned Kathak dancer par excellence exudes a lot of positive vibrations and energy, is recognized for artistry, eloquence and spirituality in her presentations. Extensively trained and groomed as an artist with the leading exponents like Late Pt.  Prahalad Das, Pt. Vijai Shankar, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Pt. Chitresh Das, Smt Kumudini Lakhia and Smt Kalanidhi Narayana.

Today she is a rare combination of an accomplished performer, choreographer, director, teacher, administrator and an artist. As a soloist, she has performed in major cities of the world and established herself as one of the leading Kathak dancers. She has choreographed a number of group ensembles that have been both in classical and folk idiom. She is also adept at conducting mass choreography working with 1500 participants on stage at a time. Over the years she has conceived, choreographed and presented over 200 compositions.

In addition to this Shila has researched and worked on innovative concepts in Kathak, ‘Charani Kathak’ and ‘Chaitanya Yoga’. Furthermore she has also done collaborative work with Flamenco, Jazz and ballet dancers.

She is also the founder director of the Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre, Mumbai.

·         Shila Mehta is the founder of Nupur Zankar Academy of performing arts and research centre. She has founded this academy to impart training mainly in the field of INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE KATHAK and other associated INDIAN CLASSICAL PERFORMING ARTS / DISCIPLINES like vocal, music, harmonium, sitar, percussion and other classical and folk dance forms, yoga, etc. She also wishes to inculcate Indian values of life amongst the masses, more particularly the younger generation through the Guru-Shishya Parampara – leading to a direct interaction of the teacher and the student, making the relation special and personal. The purpose of training is not only to produce talented artists but also to pass on the true Indian culture and values amongst the students as well as their family members and the society at large.

Shila Mehta has given a lot of performances in India and abroad. Listed below are some of noteworthy performances abroad:

ISPA – NEW YORK - USA

At Belgium, Ghent, At the Invitation of Indian Embassy, Decentrale Cultural Center & De - Ingang

In Germany - In seventeen cities for "Culture-on-wheels" at the invitation of ICCR

University of Lexington - Kentucky

University of Boulder – Colorado

University of Illinois – Urbana – Champaign area

University of Washington DC. – IDEA Festival / Indian Embassy

Celebrations for 50th Ind. Yr. of India at Temple-TX, Austin-TX, & Saledo-TX

Charity Show for AAPI at Las Cruces-NEW MEXICO and Amarillo-TX

Natyanjali Dance Festival - SAN ANTONIO-TX

Chhandam School of Dance – San Francisco

Cultural Festival – Pittsburgh

Brooklyn School of Music – Brooklyn- New York

NABC festival - Atlanta

Museum of Fine Arts - Houston-TX

National Museum of Dance - Saratoga-NY

Arts centre - Albany-NY

River side church - Manhattan - New York

National Asian Indian Dance Convention 2003,San Antonio—Texas, USA

Emma Willards School—New York

Fund Raising Show - Barsana Dham - Austin-TX

At Abu Dhabi – UAE at the function organised by Indian Embassy

At Dublin – Ireland

At Liverpool – UK

At Nehru Centre – London, UK at the invitation of ICCR

At Oman - First Classical Dance Festival Organised  by Indian Embessy

At Abu - Dhabi - Organized by ILA

At Berlin – Germany at the invitation of Indian Embassy

*Shila Mehta’s Some noteworthy performances in INDIA:

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Nishagandhi Dance Festival- on 3 different occassions.

Konarak Dance & Music Festival

Sarcchandrika Dance Festival

Chidambaram Dance Festival

Bharatostav - Kerala

Gujrat Sangeet Natak Academy Festival

Bindadin Mahotsav

Swami Haridas Sammelan - Mumbai

India Habitat Center-New Delhi,

National Center for Performing Arts-Mumbai,

Sree Chitra Dance & Music Festival-Trivandrum

Shastriya Nritya Mahotsav-WZCC-Nasik

Deccan Dance Festival-Hyderabad

Kathak Nritya Pratibha Samaroh-Kathak Kendra

Uday Shankar Dance Festival - Calcutta

Spirit of unity concerts - Chennai

Vasantotsav – Delhi

Dharni Dance Festival-Kochi

Sri Devi Nritya Kendra Dance Festival-Manglore

Rangotsav - Rajkot –Gujarat

Lokotsav- Rajkot –Gujarat

Mumbai Festival

Dance Festival- Vasundhara Foundation - Mysore

Alva's Virasat Dance Festival,  Moodbidri

Shivratri Festival - Varanasi

Mudra Festival – Kerala

Soorya Festival - Kerala

Lucknow Mahotsav

International Youth Conference – Bangalore

Halim Academy of Sitar - 33rd annual Function- Mumbai

India International Centre – New Delhi

Kathak Mahotsav – Kathak Kendra

Shantala Arts-Silver Jubilee celebration - Bangalore

Yuva Sangeetosav – Mumbai

Bharat Kalacher - 24th Margazhi Mahotsav - Chennai

Natyanjali Festival – Chidambaram Natraj Temple

Indian Council for Cultural Relation - New Delhi

Horizon Series, I C C R & N C P A – Mumbai

Celebrate Dance-2011- Banglore

Panchtatva Festival- Mumbai

Gati – Mumbai

Padatik Dance Centre –Kolkatta

Shila Mehta was honored with an invitation from ISPA – New York USA, to attend conference as one of the fellows out of 7 Fellows from all over the world which was attended by the delegates from 35 countries.

Being an empanelled artist with ICCR, Shila Mehta had the honor of performing Solo-Kathak at 17 cities of Germany under the series ‘Culture on Wheels’ at the invitation from the Government of India.

Shila Mehta’s solo performances and group choreographies presented all over the world has won her many prestigious awards and honors. A few of them are listed below :

Nritya Praveen Award – Allahabad

1) Nritya Praveen Award – Allahabad

2) Outstanding group of young person award – Kolkatta

3) Nritya Sadhna Award – Kolkatta

4) Senior Fellowship Award – Dept. of Culture – New Delhi

5) Gayatri Gaurav Sanmanpatra – Junagadh – Gujrat

6) Kala Gurjari Award – Mumbai

7) Gujrat Samaj Award – Crntral Texas – USA

8) The Overseas Natya Award – Texas – USA