MEET THE GIDF ARTISTS

DANCE TEACHERS & PERFORMERS

MUSICIANS

COLLENA SHAKTI

Rajasthani Folk * Abhinaya * Indian Fusion Bellydance *

Rajasthani Folk * Abhinaya * Indian Fusion Bellydance *

With over two decades of immersion in the artistic traditions of India, Colleena Shakti is a world-renowned dancer whose work embodies the intersection of devotion, tradition, and innovation. Since moving to India in 2001 for rigorous apprentice-style training, she has dedicated her life to the mastery of Odissi Classical Dance under the legendary Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, while also becoming a leading authority on the vibrant Folk Dances of Rajasthan.

As the founder of the Shakti School of Dance in the historic Old Rang Nath Temple in Pushkar, Colleena has created a bridge between timeless Indian aesthetics and modern expression. Her unique methodology is built on a solid foundation of Natya Shastra, Yoga, and Martial Arts, allowing her to respectfully navigate the space between ancient heritage and contemporary fusion. Whether she is performing on global stages or hosting immersive residencies at Villa Shakti Crete, Colleena’s dance is more than movement—it is a holistic vision of art that inspires students to move deeper.

Woman in a yellow sari standing in a lush garden with potted plants and greenery.

VAISHALI SAGAR

Folk Fusion * Cheraw

Folk Fusion * Cheraw

Vaishali Sagar, hailing from Mumbai, India, is a distinguished figure in the world of dance. She holds a master’s degree in Indian Folk Dance, earned under the tutelage of Guru Rooma Banerjee. Currently, she serves as the director of Kalanjay Dance Academy in Mumbai, a prestigious institution with an enrollment of 900 students and an alumni network of over 5000.

Vaishali is an expert in traditional Indian folk dances and Bollywood dance styles, imparting her knowledge and passion to her students.

Vaishali has also represented India in various international folk dance festivals based in Italy, Austria, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, South Korea, Poland, Belgium just to name a few.

Person with red hair smiling, wearing a teal and gold embellished garment, posed with arms raised.

SHAMPA GOPIKRISHNA

Garba * Mayurbhanj Chhau *

Garba * Mayurbhanj Chhau *

Shampa Gopikrishna, hailing from Mumbai, India, is a celebrated choreographer and the daughter of the late Natraj Shri Gopikrishna, a legendary Kathak exponent. She embarked on her dance journey at age 4, mastering Indian classical dance forms under her father’s guidance and other esteemed gurus. Later, she embraced western dance styles, honing her skills at the Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company (TLCDC) in Mumbai.

Shampa’s choreographic prowess spans across theatre, film, and TV. She has choreographed for musicals like “Monsoon Wedding” and “Disney’s Aladdin”, and films such as “Padmaavat” and “Ram Leela”. Her work on the dance show “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa” earned her two victories, a unique achievement.

In addition to her choreography, Shampa is passionate about teaching dance. She conducts workshops in various dance styles around the world, sharing her love for dance with others.

DESIHOP

Kuthu * Desi Afro *

Kuthu * Desi Afro *

DesiHop began in early 2023 in Frankfurt, born from a simple idea shared by three Indian dancers Gokul Gopi, Saumya Singh, and Rayeez Mohammed: to create a space where movement could feel like home. What started as shared practice sessions soon grew into a collective voice, blending Bollywood, hip-hop, Afro, and the raw energy of Tamil kuthu into a powerful fusion that speaks across cultures.

Built as a safe and inclusive platform for South-Asian dancers, DesiHop has steadily grown through consistency and community. Over the past 18 months, the collective has hosted more than 15 workshops across Germany, showing up month after month, city after city. Alongside this journey, DesiHop continues to nurture its roots through regular weekly Bollywood-fusion classes at Tanzschule Weiss in Offenbach. Today, DesiHop is not just a dance style—it’s a growing movement shaped by people, persistence, and the belief that dance can connect worlds.

MANASI KHANNA

Giddha *

Giddha *

She is a key figure in the European Punjabi folk scene. As a lead force behind Amsterdam Bhangra, she has been instrumental in bringing the high-octane energy and cultural depth of North Indian folk to the heart of Europe. Her journey is defined by a commitment to authenticity and the belief that dance is the ultimate bridge between communities.

Manasi’s dance journey has reached the grandest heights, including performing as part of the dance crew for global icon Diljit Dosanjh during his historic “Dil-Luminati” tour in the Netherlands.

DARIYA

Live music at the Opening Party *

Live music at the Opening Party *

Dariya is more than a band. It is a moving river of stories, sound, and spirit.

Led by Shivam on vocals and guitar, with Ramit on drums and multi-percussion, and Abhijit on bass, Dariya weaves folk-inspired melodies with raw emotion and deep-rooted honesty.

Shivam’s songwriting draws from the eastern landscapes of India, carrying echoes of satire, mythology, and timeless symbols like Natraja and Ardhanarishwar. Their music reflects life in its truest form, its contradictions, its beauty, its struggles, and its quiet victories, often blending original compositions with soulful Bollywood interpretations. For over 2.5 years, Dariya has been performing actively across the globe, creating spaces where music becomes movement and movement becomes freedom.

Their core belief is simple yet powerful: music is liberation, for themselves and for every listener who finds a piece of their own story in Dariya’s sound.

SWAPNIL DAGLIYA

Kalbeliya * Lavani

Kalbeliya * Lavani

Swapnil Dagliya is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Shoonya Dance Centre in Ghent, Belgium, and leads ABC a Bollywood Company. Born and raised near Mumbai, he is a certified instructor with Learn Bhangra and holds a diploma in Indian folk dance. Blending his Indian roots with training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance,

Swapnil aims to make Indian dance accessible to international audiences. His extensive training includes graduation from the Broadway Dance Center in New York and advanced studies at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy. He is also the curator of the annual Gent India Dans Festival.