Dancer and choreographer Selvi Pragasam has certainly revolutionized the dance school scenario for Indian community in the Bay Area, by initiating integration of special need kids in the mainstream through Peer Interaction Outreach Program. Its agreed, that dance is a physical and visual art form which has an immediate and instantaneous impact on the on-looker. This is evident in the performances and the choreographical pieces presented by Selvi Pragasam and her group. Selvi and her co-parter, Lavanya Gopal are not only splendid choreographers, combining and exploring modern dance techniques with those of classical Indian dance, but also are beautiful dancers to watch.

Selvi is the founder of IFDA, Indian Fusion Dance Academy, in Evergreen, South San Jose area. As an individual, she has huge presence and a happy demeanor, filling the room with her energy and confidence. Its not hard to be inspired by her practical outlook on life and accordingly, has positive influence on her students. Along with having degrees in dancing from the prestigious Kalaikaviri School of Fine Arts, University of Trichy, Selvi has traveled extensively. She gave performances in Asia and Europe. Her passion and goal, however, was to “offer complete Indian Fine-Art Mecca, offering classes in all Indian and fusion art forms under one roof”.

She is achieving this by teaching classical, folk, Bhangra, Bollywood, along with Carnatic music classes. Commenting on expanding her classes, Selvi added, “We are excited to introduce Odissi and Kathak classes from this year on. Bidisha Mohanty who is a renowned Odissi dancer and teacher joined us beginning of this year. We are also in talks with a very renowned Kathak teacher”.  Similar to Selvi, all of her instructors are experts in their respective fields and great fun to work with.

Lavanya Gopal, co-partner and friend, holds two Master’s Degrees, one of which is in Sanskrit!   She is a marvelous teacher who exudes warmth, care and professionalism. She possesses great grace and precision in her movements, her interpretations are carefully thought out, both in her pure interpretations of classical dance and while fusing and weaving classical dance with modern styles.

There is one more thing that keeps these partners apart from the rest. They both have children with special needs.

Selvi’s passion and her involvement started when she had her first bundle of joy, in the form of Aidan. Her life changed completely, as Aidan was diagnosed with Propionic Acidemia. From that point on, she kept herself busy by taking care of Aidan and started participating and volunteering with Jeena, for support and for giving back to the community. There she started using her energy and creativity by teaching and choreographing for kids with special needs and got involved in organizing performances not only for Jeena but for other organizations as well. Her choreography and dance styles started being applauded and were much sorted out, that she got herself involved in organizing performances for different organizations such as for Bay Area Telugu and Kannada organizations. These experiences led her to start IFDA in 2006, with much help from friends and family. Though in the initial stages, the school’s popularity is growing with their incredible performances, affiliations and programs.

Selvi is very focused and committed in spreading the Special Need Kids Outreach Program. Now she is completely immersed in it by organizing various community programs, through school programs and her IFDA activities. Through dance movements she easily shows how to use simple movements to enjoyable music to help these children form appropriate brain connections. In addition, these dance movements help in significantly enhancing the vestibular, proprioceptive, visual, and auditory systems of the kids. Further, involvement in dancing increases interactions between the parent, child and group, communication skills and also is an effective therapy for pediatric disabilities.

Q: You are doing a commendable job of integrating special need kids with the community. What is Special Peer-Program that IFDA initiated? What would you like to inform the community about?

A: I have been conducting special need classes for 7 years, prior to establishing IFDA. Initially this was developed as a program to improve motor planning and coordination among special need kids. We have kids with mild to moderate physical and cognitive challenges. These classes this year have become a full fledged Peer-Interaction Program. The classes are designed to have special need children dancing and performing along with buddies and peers from the community. We have other group activities besides dancing, to improve and coordinate kids of all interest and levels during the class. We also arrange for group projects and community outings with peers. The class helps to create awareness in the community especially in the youth.

Thanks to all the youth volunteers who have been with me for the past one year and keep attending sessions one after the other without fail. The kids have gotten to know each other very well and strong bonds and relationships have formed, not only among kids but also among families, thereby taking this program beyond the walls of the dance class. We have more than 15 elementary, middle school and high school volunteers right now. The Evergreen school district has recognized this program to be a valid volunteer program for community hours that the middle schoolers and high schoolers require. This program is completely free for both special need kids and volunteers. The instructors also volunteer their time. We want the word about this program to be spread in the community for both the benefits of the special need kids and the youth in our community”.

Q: One of the way you increase awareness in the community is by conducting various shows. What are the different shows IFDA presents every year and participates in?

A: IFDA organizes two major shows of its own every year. At the end of the spring quarter, we have Jhalak Dreams which is a ticketed event and has been a fund-raiser for various NPOs that support well deserving but rare causes including “Propionic Acidemia Foundation”, “Jeena-Hope for Kids” and “OSAAT – One School at a Time” over the past 3 years. We have tried to bring in novelty and quality in every show and the community has always supported us by making our shows-always sold out shows. Jhalak has been a great platform to experiment and bring in a true fusion of different styles of dances from India and around the globe.

After the fall quarter, we have the Winter Fest which is not a ticketed show, but is done for the students and their families. This event is a true celebration in every aspect and is very well attended and received. We have supported/participated in Jeena Yahaan every year. This event is an awareness event for Jeena – an organization in the Bay Area supporting special need kids and their families. We have also supported/participated every year for the past 3 years in Jhoom- an event that is organized by the Evergreen Indian Cultural Association, again benefiting many well deserved causes. We have also performed and participated in Infusion 2008, supporting the CARE Foundation, and We reach Out -an organization supporting literacy in rural India.

Q: I see you are introducing additional classes such as Odissi and Kathak. Are you also planing on establishing at various other locations, to offer convenience to people in other places?

A: Actually, we just started Bollywood classes in the Willow Glen location with a vision of expanding further and to meet the needs of people. We are still trying to get the word out there and hoping to have full-fledged classes by next quarter.

Q: You also initiated some “Art of Living” Yoga classes at your location. Do you plan to provide Yoga classes on a more full time basis?

A: Yoga classes were conducted on a trial basis by affiliates of the Art Of Living Foundation. They are not being continued any more. However starting Feb 17^th, we are going to have two very talented and certified yoga instructors starting Hatha Yoga and restorative yoga/ yoga nidra classes for kids and adults at IFDA. Both these teachers are certified and registered with Yoga alliance- RYT-200. They are not part of the Art of Living Foundation. Once all details are finalized, I will be publishing this.

I spoke with couple of IFDA participants, all had good things to say about you. However “Shanti Bhupatiraju” and “Madhuri Jagadeesh” have summed up well about IFDA. I will quote them here and you will see reflections of how your classes are impacting and touching others.

Shanti Bhupatiraju commented, “Selvi is doing a great job of mainstreaming the Special need kids, with her dance classes and community out reach programs. This integration is helping the parents, special need children, siblings and is enabling awareness and sensitivity with in our Indian community. Secondly, since she and Lavanya have special need kids, apart from being sensitive they know how to utilize different dance moves to help these kids. She is providing a great service to the community.”

Madhuri Jagadeesh commented,” “I would say that IFDA has had a very positive influence on me. Just two years ago, I was with no music and dance ability. Today, at the age of 40, I have ventured into Carnatic music and Bharatnatyam for the first time in my life. I am passionate about music and thoroughly enjoy my dance classes. It has opened up a whole new world for me. I have developed new friendships, found a positive way to ease stress and depression and found my calling for music. All three teachers(Gayatri Ganapathi, Selvi & Lavanya) that I have interacted with are excellent at what they do. They work from the heart, not for the money. I am deeply grateful to all three of them.”

I wish you all the success with the Special Peer Program. I hope families with special need kids find a community with your program to share, connect and find fulfillment in their lives.

IFDA can be reached at the following address.

Indian Fusion Dance Academy

2847 South White Road
Suite 207
San Jose CA 95148
Phone: 408-238-4034
Email: creativedance@rediffmail.com