MultifAceTeD PeRfoRmer & EducAtoR

Swati Bhisé - Performance & Interviews:

Bharatnatyam Dancer

Training

  • The first disciple of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh.

Performances

  • Bhisé has performed Bharatanatyam extensively, gracing stages across the globe, including Lincoln Center, Asia Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (India).
  • She is known for blending classical Indian dramaturgy with contemporary choreography in her performances.
Swati Gupté Bhisé dancing in front of a South Indian temple gopuram
With Vasant Sathe, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and two performance photographs

Swati Gupté Bhisé featuring on the Bill Boggs show on CBS Prime Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGH59f541SQ (opens in a new tab)

Founded Sanskriti CentER

A non-profit organisation that taught and promoted Indian culture in NYC

Purpose

  • A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Indian classical arts among American children.
  • As the founder, Bhisé led initiatives to introduce Indian music, dance, and theatre to new audiences in the U.S. for over 40 years, making a lasting cultural impact.

Artist in
residence

  • The Brearley School, New York
  • Lincoln Center Institute, New York
  • Symphony Space, New York

Promoting artists like Malavika Sarukkai in NYC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFbNWN4ivD0 (opens in a new tab)

TV Anchor & Media Correspondent

  • Bhisé was the U.S. correspondent for Sruti Magazine.
  • She also anchored the TV program, Spotlight on Culture - India Broadcasting Network (IBN)

Jazz & Carnatic Fusion

Notable Performances

  • She also conducted a Carnatic-Jazz symphony at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2015 to a sold-out audience, earning praise in the Wall Street Journal for her innovative fusion of Indian and Western music.
  • In 2017, Bhisé opened the renowned Newport Jazz Festival with an original Carnatic-Jazz fusion composition where she was the conductor.

Celebrating Classical Music Month with Swati Gupté Bhisé

https://youtu.be/D79xtwGe2IQ (opens in a new tab)

Choreography
& Acting

  • Choreographed Broadway shows including The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Transposed Heads.
  • Acted in productions such as Daddy Meets Durga and Mass of the Dead.
  • Created “Naari Tu,” : A one-woman solo performance addressing the plight of women in patriarchal societies, performed at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi and the United Nations Council CSW67.

Interview with Swati Gupté Bhisé | On her short film 'Anamika'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-pvOXNastQ (opens in a new tab)

Recent Engagements

29 May 2023 – Indus Women's Group

  • At the invitation of Nafisa and Samina Khorakiwala, Swati Gupté Bhisé engaged with the Indus Women's Group in an intimate gathering that celebrated the strength…

    At the invitation of Nafisa and Samina Khorakiwala, Swati Gupté Bhisé engaged with the Indus Women's Group in an intimate gathering that celebrated the strength of women and the power of shared experiences. She spoke about the making of The Warrior Queen of Jhansi as an educational toolkit, the challenges women continue to face in the film industry, and presented a special screening of Naari Tu. The afternoon was filled with meaningful conversations, exchange of ideas, and a remarkable spirit of sisterhood.

13 November 2024 – Classical Performance

  • At the invitation of Nayantara Jain, Swati Gupté Bhisé presented an evocative performance on "The Beauty of Bhakti Bhava," celebrating the essence of…

    At the invitation of Nayantara Jain, Swati Gupté Bhisé presented an evocative performance on "The Beauty of Bhakti Bhava," celebrating the essence of devotion through the classical language of Bharatanatyam. The intimate recital beautifully conveyed the emotional depth, spiritual surrender, and timeless philosophy of bhakti, leaving the audience deeply moved.

28 February 2026 – Rotary Club of Bombay North at Willingdon Sports Club

  • Swati Gupté Bhisé delivered an inspiring talk on "The Art of Dance and Its Transformative Power," exploring how dance transcends performance to become…

    Swati Gupté Bhisé delivered an inspiring talk on "The Art of Dance and Its Transformative Power," exploring how dance transcends performance to become a medium for personal growth, cultural preservation, emotional healing, and social change. Drawing upon decades of experience as a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and educator, she demonstrated the profound impact of the performing arts on individuals and communities.
Recent engagements: Indus Women's Group, with Nayantara Jain, and the Rotary Club of Bombay North