IAGB Community Spotlight

It all began in 1982 when Jasmine, a visionary and proficient dancer and theater artist, decided to create a platform where youngsters could learn about India’s culture through dances. This initiative led to the formation of Aangikam Dance Academy, which has grown from a handful of children to over 200 students at multiple locations in the New England area. Jasmine has remained true to her traditional beliefs, promoting Indian heritage through Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Folk dances, and, due to popular demand, Bollywood dances have been added as well.

Jasmine’s illustrious list of alumni comprises of her lifelong supporters. She has been their guide and mentor, playing a significant role in shaping their future. Many of her students have gone on to start their own dance schools.

Jasmine is multitalented. She performs, directs, choreographs, and judges many dance competitions. She has organized many theme-based dance dramas that delve into Indian mythology, and both she and her students have choreographed and performed for not only IAGB but for various other organizations including ISW, IANH, GURJAR, VHP, UIA, and so on.

Beyond her creative endeavors, Jasmine has also organized numerous fundraisers for local community organizations such as Shishu Bharati, Satsang Center, Gurjar (India Earthquake relief fund), CRY Sankara Foundation, and many more.

Jean Shaheen, NH governor, nominated Jasmine for the New Hampshire Art Council as an art counselor, and she has been serving in this capacity for over 25 years. In 2016, India New England honored her for her contribution to the field of dance and dramas by presenting her with a lifetime achievement award.

Throughout the years, Jasmine has choreographed and produced many dance dramas, including Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Meerabai, Shakuntala, and “www.Millanium.Com”, to name a few.

Jasmine Shah has been a solid supporter of IAGB for over 2 decades, presenting timeless and innumerable dance performances during IAGB’s iconic events Republic Day and India Day year after year. She has always shown up with great vigor and enthusiasm cheering team IAGB’s continuous endeavor to raise the bar in quality and thoughtful, theme related performances.

This time around, Jasmine Shah stepped up in her support for IAGB and its educational charter. She was instrumental in enthralling the audience by preparing captivating dance presentations and narrations at the “Nritya-Kala, Dances of India” segment of IAGB’s Discover India Series at the Woburn Public Library. Attendees were fascinated by the intricate details of classical dance forms, the diverse array of costumes, and the meanings behind various gestures. Her lively discussions centered around various folk dances, her vibrant choreographies enabled her students to fill the hall with energy and passion for the art of dance! To quote the audiences, it was a delightful experience to learn and participate in Garba and Bhangra dance narrations. Thanks to Jasmine Shah’s brilliance in her art, and her undaunted passion for the art, Nritya Kala stole the show as the most popular presentation in the DIS series at the Woburn Public Library.

IAGB says “BRAVO” to the multi-talented, decorated Dance Guru Jasmine Shah, who operates out of passion to excel and love for her most loved art form of dance!