About Us
“The Artistic Directors of Leela Dance Collective have chosen an ambitious mission, to honor ancient traditions and bring them forward, made relevant to the present. There is no question that they are successful.”
— Mary Pat Cooney, LA Dance Chronicle
Leela Dance Collective is an internationally touring dance company that advances kathak, classical dance from North India. Through traditional works and cross-genre collaborations, the Collective brings the richness and depth of Indian classical dance to contemporary audiences worldwide. Leela Dance Collective has garnered critical acclaim under the artistic direction of renowned kathak artists Seibi Lee, Rachna Nivas, and Rukhmani Mehta (previously Rina Mehta), and engages some of today’s leading dancers and musicians, as well as collaborative artists of other genres. Leela Dance Collective has created groundbreaking productions including SPEAK, Son of the Wind, ReSound, and more. Past highlights include appearances at Ford Theaters, The Broad Stage, Kimmel Center, the Green Music Center, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, National Center for the Performing Arts in Bombay, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and NC State LIVE.
Our Productions
Leela Dance Collective’s repertoire represents the breadth and depth of kathak dance, while also amplifying the voices of a new generation of artists. Get to know our works, from kathak and tap dance collaborations, to dance dramas depicting stories from India’s ancient epic the Ramayana, to pop-up street performances, to traditional kathak solos.
For information regarding booking, please contact
Carrie Jennings at bookings@leela.dance
View Leela Dance Collective’s Electronic Press Kit
Our Artists
At the core of Leela Dance Collective’s approach is collective creativity. Rather than being centered around one artistic vision, we bring together a multitude of artistic voices. We firmly believe that diversity of thought and open exchange advances and sustains our art. Through our work we hope to bring artists and communities together to engage in meaningful collaborative programming including workshops and residencies. Click the button below to get to know our incredible artists.
Value of Education
Community engagement is at the very heart of Leela Dance Collective’s work. Some of our most rewarding experiences as artists come from the residencies we participate in across the country, connecting us to youth, artists of different genres, and people of all walks of life. In addition to residency activities connected to touring shows, we also participate in local arts education programming including partnerships with Music Center on Tour in Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in New York, and Newman Center for the Performing Arts in Denver. These programs allow us to share the joy of kathak dance with thousands of students each year.
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