Heritage. Discovery. Travel.
Ulster to Udaipur: An Ongoing Dance Exchange
While all of our projects are forms of cultural exchange in nature, we are dedicated to creating travel, study abroad, and volunteer opportunities for artists in both Udaipur and in the Vanaver Caravan's home in Ulster County, New York. One of the things that connected us initially is the similarity between our two homes. Aside from their surprisingly similar breathtaking beauty, both regions are connected by vibrancy, activism, and people who care about making the world a better place. It feels natural to connect the people of both Udaipur and the Mid-Hudson Valley with one another.
Alternating, Shakti Caravan travels in the winter to Udaipur, and in the Summer, to New York.
Indian dance teaching artists come to New York, to teach in our summer dance programs, tour with our professional dance company, and learn traditional american folk dance.
Vanaver-trained company members travel to Udaipur to teach in BMCT's winter programs, tour our performances throughout the region, and learn traditional Indian folk dance styles from local artists.
Travel Opportunities: Become a Goodwill Ambassador
The Vanaver Caravan has a longstanding relationship with the Friendship Ambassador's Foundation. With them, we have travel packages assembled for anyone interested in traveling with us to Udaipur in January, and anyone interested in traveling to New York with our Udaipur dancers, over the Summer. Dates and details change year-to-year. If you are interested in traveling with us, please contact us.
Study Abroad Opportunities: Students Welcome
One of Shakti Caravan's most exciting new developments is our partnership with NYU Tisch School for the arts. We are designing a three-week long winter-term study abroad program for 2017. This 6 credit program is an immersive interdisciplinary arts intensive, which allows students the opportunity to explore a number of dance, music, and cultural traditions in Rajasthan. Students, in any university in the US, are welcome to apply. Credits are transferable through New York University. Applications will go up in August 2017. Application deadline, Oct 15 2017.