About Reflections: Conversations in Dance and Culture
Reflections in Dance and Culture explores bold ideas on how Indian dance carries stories of identity, and belonging and the powerful voices reshaping Indian dance in the diaspora. Hosted by Global Indian Artist LLC, the podcast brings together artists and visionaries shaping the future of performance and culture.
In this episode, Mesma Belsaré speaks about her journey across dance, painting, and curation, and how these practices shape her engagement with social justice. Through personal reflection, she considers what social justice means to her and how it shapes her work.
Key topics
Social justice as a personal and artistic act
The role of the body in artistic expression and justice
Categories and identity in art and society
The immigrant experience and cultural imprint
Curating Indian art in American museums
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Social Justice in Art
00:53 Personal Interpretation of Social Justice
05:51 The Immigrant Experience and Artistic Identity
08:12 Navigating Cultural Expectations as an Immigrant Artist
13:48 The Role of the Audience in Artistic Transformation
16:37 Curating at the Peabody Essex Museum
23:45 Reflections on Pride and Gratitude in Art
1 May 2026
Building a Community Through Dance: The Boston Bollywood Journey
In this engaging interview, Swati Tiwari, founder of Boston Bollywood, shares her inspiring journey from computer science to dance entrepreneurship. Discover how she built an inclusive community that celebrates Indian dance forms, breaks down barriers, and fosters social justice through arts.
Key topics
Journey from computer science to dance entrepreneurship
Building an inclusive community in Boston
The structure and levels of Boston Bollywood classes
Breaking down stereotypes in Indian dance
The role of social justice in arts and community building.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Boston Bollywood and Swati Tiwari's Journey
01:40 The Birth of Boston Bollywood
06:07 Inclusivity in Dance: Breaking Barriers
11:14 Exploring Classical and Bollywood Dance
16:10 Creating a Supportive Dance Community
19:03 Levels and Skill Development in Dance
23:11 Future Aspirations and Curriculum Development
23:42 Creating an Inclusive Dance Community
24:28 The Role of Competition in Dance
30:28 Challenges and Triumphs of a Creative Entrepreneur
36:51 Building a Sense of Belonging through Dance
38:47 Social Justice and Accessibility in Dance
31 Dec 2025
Exploring Movement and Justice - Anicaya
In this episode, Wendy Jehlen, Creative Director of Anikaya, and Anuarite Gikonyo, cultural practitioner and writer, reflect on art as a tool for connection and change. Drawing from The Conference of the Birds and their experiences of cultural exchange, they explore how movement, story, and travel foster empathy and awareness.
Takeaways
The arts can foster empathy and understanding across cultures.
Cultural exchange enriches personal and social transformation.
Dance serves as a powerful tool for social justice.
The Conference of the Birds poem emphasizes the importance of diverse voices.
Art can challenge political and social norms.
Shared human experiences can bridge class divides.
The role of artists is to navigate complex social issues.
Contemporary dance reflects current societal themes.
Artistic expression can evoke deep emotional responses.
Collaboration among artists can lead to impactful change.
Summary
In this podcast, host Anita Vallabh engages with Wendy Jehlen and Anuarite Gikonyo to explore the intersection of movement, art, and social justice. They discuss the journey of the Conference of the Birds, the role of cultural exchange in personal transformation, and how dance serves as a medium for empathy and understanding. The conversation delves into navigating political and social perspectives through art, the significance of shared human experiences, and the future of artistic expression in contemporary society.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Movement and Justice
02:33 Wendy's Journey with Conference of the Birds
10:57 Anwarite's Experience and Connection to Dance
19:34 Exploring Political Standpoints in Art
26:59 Debating Contemporary Dance and Artistic Expression
30:39 The Nature of Contemporary Art
33:34 Exploring the Relevance of Historical Texts
37:47 Defining African Contemporary Dance
38:47 Audience Impact on Performance Interpretation
48:43 Art as a Reflection of Shared Human Experience
56:44 The Power of Arts in Social Change
19 Dec 2025
The Intersection of Art and Healthcare - The story of Assemkala
In this episode of Sarang Arts for Social Justice, host Anita Vallabh engages with artists and researchers from the Asim Kala initiative, exploring how dance serves as a powerful medium for addressing healthcare inequities and social justice. The conversation delves into the origins of Asim Kala, the personal journeys of its members, and the importance of storytelling in both dance and medicine. The guests discuss the evolution of classical dance, the need for audience engagement, and the collaborative nature of their creative processes. They reflect on the impact of their work on social change and share aspirations for the future of Asim Kala, emphasizing the significance of community voices and cultural narratives in their performances.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sarang Arts for Social Justice
03:16 Exploring Healthcare Equity through Dance
08:14 Identifying Injustices in Healthcare
11:28 Bridging Dance and Medical Narratives
16:47 The Role of Theater in Social Change
17:07 Theater and Dance as Participatory Art Forms
18:32 Engaging Audiences in Performance
19:32 Incorporating Audience Feedback in Choreography
20:30 Collaborative Creative Processes in Dance
22:03 Navigating Music and Choreography
24:24 The Role of Personal Experience in Dance
26:18 Fostering a Collaborative Environment
28:15 Becoming Part of the Aseem Kala Community
29:58 Exploring Themes of Addiction in Dance
32:31 Inspiration from Diversity
33:55 Creating Space for Evolution in Dance
35:44 Aseem Kala: Bridging Healthcare and Dance
37:56 The Future of Classical Dance
40:02 Shifts in Dance Practice and Interpretation
45:57 Impact of Dance on Healthcare Conversations
30 Oct 2025
Reflections with Dr. Shriya Srinivasan and Dr. Joshua George
In this episode of Reflections from Global Indian Artists, host Anita Vallabh engages with curators Shriya Srinivasan and Dr. Joshua George about the upcoming Intersections Indian Dance Conference. The conversation explores their unique backgrounds in science and dance, the challenges faced by diaspora artists, and the importance of community and collaboration in the arts. They discuss the intersection of their artistic and scientific pursuits, the process of curating the conference, and the significance of fostering dialogue within the dance community. The episode emphasises the need for innovation and adaptation in the arts, particularly for artists navigating cultural identities in a globalised world.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Intersections Conference
02:03 The Journey of Collaboration
05:34 Intersection of Dance and Science
09:45 Curating the Conference
13:37 Funding and Institutional Collaboration
19:04 Challenges and Opportunities in Dance
25:11 Future of the Conference and Community Engagement
20 Oct 2025
Celebrating Bhangra: A Cultural Journey
In this episode of Sarang Arts for Social Justice, host Anita Vallabh and co-host Manasa Jayanthi engage with Rohit Bhambi, the founder of Boston Bhangra. They discuss the evolution of Boston Bhangra as a community initiative, its impact on cultural identity, and the importance of inclusivity and social justice in the arts. Rohit shares insights into the challenges of funding and sustainability, the significance of partnerships, and the balance between his day job and passion for dance. The conversation also touches on the methodology of Bhangra, personal reflections on the journey of a dancer, and the upcoming Boston Bhangra competition, emphasizing the mission to maintain cultural identity and create safe spaces for future generations.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sarang Arts for Social Justice
02:53 The Evolution of Boston Bhangra
07:06 Community Impact and Cultural Identity
09:15 Inclusivity and Social Justice in Dance
11:31 Challenges of Funding and Sustainability
14:10 Building Partnerships and Community Engagement
17:03 Balancing Passion and Professional Life
19:40 The Art of Bhangra: Methodology and Choreography
24:46 The Journey of a Dancer: Personal Reflections
32:01 Upcoming Events and Future Aspirations
34:51 Mission Statement for Future Generations
Contact Reflections: Conversations in Dance and Culture
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Reflections: Conversations in Dance and Culture?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
