Since antiquity, temple dancers in India have told educational stories using a highly formalized system of choreography that combines hand gestures, facial expressions, rhythmic footwork, and sculpturesque body postures. Today, this ancient art is preserved, performed, and promoted in Massachusetts at the Triveni School of Dance. Neena Gulati has been on the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Roster of Artists for the past 20 years - a list of artists who have been recommended by the Council to present workshops in schools throughout New England. Neena and her students have brought the dance, music, and storytelling of a culture which was previously underrepresented in this area. With the increase of diversity within our communities, Triveni proves to have an indispensable contribution.
Support from Massachusetts Cultural Council is gratefully acknowledged
Educational projects and workshops
Neena has brought her dancers to perform and teach in numerous venues, including Dance Umbrella lecture/demonstration, Massachusetts Community Educational television series, and dozens of schools and universities who have contacted her as one of the Massachusetts Cultural Council roster artists. Schools teaching World Cultures and Ancient Traditions have invited Neena back many times for lectures. "Thank you so much for the magnificent dance performances - engaging, lively, and instructive. I've been deeply impressed by your talent, not only as a dancer, but as a superb teacher." - Jonathan Sills, Brookline High School
Benefit Performances
Neena Gulati and the Triveni Ensemble have raised funds for numerous charities, such as:
- A Tribute to Mother for Mother Teresa's orphanage
- Dances of India for Child Relief & You
- Rhythm of Joy & Hope for Saheli
- The Sacred & The Sensuous for India Development and Relief Fund
- The Wandering Poet for The Madan Sawhney Charitable Trust
- Spiritual Dances for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami
- Faces of the Divine for Sarva Dev Hindu Mandir
- Echoes - A Timeless Journey for Triveni's scholarship fund
- Divine Rhythms for Liz Walker's "My Sister's Keeper"
- A Garland of Rhythms for Agape International
Neena has also directed and performed with her ensemble at the Hindu Temple of Albany, A Tribute to Mother for Mother Teresa's mission in Calcutta, Shishu Bharati in Burlington, Cultural Survival at Harvard University, Earthwatch, Oxfam America, the Silk Road Gala for the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Volunteers in service to Education in India, and the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center.
2010 - present
Other Performances
Poetry and Dance (1995) - With renowned American poet Robert Bly, Neena directed one of many shows where she danced to Mr. Bly's translations of ancient Indian poetry, including Mira Bai, Kabir, and Rabindranath Tagore. The collaboration of these two artists began in 1986, and they have performed together 9 times across the country and in London in the years since.
Welcome to Asian-America (1996) - In conjunction with the Asian American Resource Workshop, Neena and members of the Triveni Dance Ensemble performed at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Symphony of Moods (1997) - In collaboration with Bangladeshi poet Sajed Kamal and accompanied by musicians, Neena choreographed interpretive dance and performed classical pieces at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.
The Christmas Revels (1997) - With members of the Triveni Ensemble and young Triveni dancers, Neena choreographed and performed with the Revels company at 16 sold-out performances at Sanders Theater in Cambridge, MA.
Neena and her students have performed in hundreds of multicultural events, including the Teen Empowerment Meeting Boston Film Festival honoring Mira Nair, the Special Olympics, First Night in Boston, Sharon & Lowell, The Dancing Flute at Berklee College of Music, Kids are People School in Boston, Diversity makes Us Strong at BankBoston, Asian American Ethnic Festival in Boston, India Festival, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, International Festival at Bayside Exposition Center, and the Whole World Celebration.
2010 - present