Colleena Shakti

Colleena Shakti is an American-born dancer whose professional and artistic life became deeply connected with India after she relocated there in 2001. Rather than using Indian dance merely as a visual influence for fusion, she undertook long-term traditional training, including rigorous study of Odissi. She studied under respected Indian teachers and developed extensive knowledge of regional movement, music and performance culture. Colleena founded the Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar and created the Pushkar Temple Dance Festival. Her earlier connection with belly dance and later immersion in Indian classical and folk traditions allowed her to develop an unusual cross-cultural artistic career. Her work is particularly valuable when discussing the difference between superficial “fusion” and artistic work based on sustained study of multiple traditions.