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Shivang Foundation

Shivang Foundation is a Non-Profit (Section 8) organization dedicated to promoting Indian classical arts particularly Bharatanatyam, as a means of education, emotional well-being, and cultural preservation

Preserving Tradition
Building Confidence
Creating Community
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The Problem We Solve

Preserving Indian Arts. Transforming Lives.

At Shivang Foundation, Bharatanatyam is not seen only as a performance art, but as a way to build confidence, discipline, and a deeper connection with oneself.

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Our Impact · 2010–2024

400+ lives touched.

At Shivang Foundation, we see art as much more than a skill to be learned or a performance to be presented. It is a journey of self-discovery that nurtures confidence, emotional well-being, empathy, creativity, and a deep sense of belonging. We believe that every individual, regardless of age, background, or experience, should have the opportunity to explore and express themselves through the arts.

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CSR & Corporate Partnerships

Lets create cultural and social impact together

Align your organisation’s social impact goals with India’s classical arts heritage. Partner with Shivang Foundation.

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Section 8 NGO Govt. Registered
16+ Years Of Service
400+ Lives Impacted
Award-Winning Founder & Mentor
Guwahati, Assam India

The journey started with a small dance institution in Guwahati.

In 2010, Namrata Tiwari Talukdar began teaching Bharatanatyam to a handful of students, guided by a deep respect for the art and everything it represents. As the classes grew, something became clear. Many children — especially young girls — wanted to learn. They were curious, eager, and full of potential. But for several families, dance classes were simply not something they could afford. It was not a lack of interest. It was a lack of access.

When the desire to learn was so sincere, turning students away was not an option. A new path had to be found. Classes were opened to those who could not afford them. Over time, a simple balance emerged — free training for those who need it, and subsidised fees for those who can contribute. This made it possible to continue the work while keeping it inclusive. As the number of students grew and the work deepened, it became clear that this needed a more structured platform.

What unfolded over time went far beyond learning steps and technique. Children who were once hesitant began to open up. Confidence grew quietly. Discipline followed naturally. For many, dance became a space where they could express what they could not put into words. It became a source of stability, focus, and self-belief.

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Our Programmes.

Shivang Foundation creates access to Indian classical and regional art forms as meaningful, living practices — extending beyond performance into everyday experience. While Bharatanatyam remains a strong foundation of the work, the larger vision embraces the richness of diverse Indian art traditions, each carrying its own language of rhythm, expression, and storytelling.

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Through structured training and community-based initiatives, the foundation creates spaces where individuals — especially children and young people — can learn, explore, and grow through these art forms.

In India, art has never been separated from life. Across regions, traditional art forms have always been deeply connected to how people express, celebrate, and make sense of their world. These practices carry within them elements of movement, discipline, rhythm, and expression — qualities that naturally support emotional balance, awareness, and a sense of connection.

Long before the idea of "therapy" was formally defined, such forms were already part of everyday life, quietly shaping how individuals processed emotions and built inner strength.

By engaging with these art forms, individuals are not only learning technique — they are also discovering a deeper sense of self, building confidence, and finding a space where they feel seen, supported, and connected. These shared experiences help nurture a sense of community — bringing people together through learning, participation, and cultural engagement.

Shivang Foundation continues to build on this understanding, working to make these experiences accessible to a wider and more diverse community.

🎭 ART FOR ALL (AFA): Inclusive Pathways to Indian Classical Arts

Arts for All (AFA) is Shivang Foundation's flagship initiative to make Indian classical arts accessible to children and young people who face financial, social or physical barriers to learning. Working with government and low-income schools, community centres, shelter homes, rehabilitation centres and underserved communities, AFA provides free and subsidised opportunities to learn Bharatanatyam and other Indian classical art forms. More than arts education, the programme nurtures emotional wellbeing, personal growth, holistic development and a deeper connection to India's cultural heritage—ensuring that talent is never limited by circumstance.

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अjay | A Dance & Music Series

अjay is Shivang Foundation's recurring dance and music series dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible and meaningful cultural experiences for both artists and audiences. Inspired by the Sanskrit word Ajay, meaning unconquered and enduring, the series celebrates the timeless spirit of India's artistic traditions while creating space for new voices and diverse perspectives. Designed as a six-edition annual series, अjay brings together established and emerging artists, including artists with disabilities, on a platform that values artistic excellence, inclusion and dignity.

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🧠 CREATIVE MOVEMENT & WORKSHOPS

At Shivang Foundation, we use movement and creative expression as accessible pathways to emotional wellbeing, connection, and personal growth. Our workshops bring together children, adolescents, women, older adults, and diverse communities in safe, inclusive spaces where they can explore, express, and connect through movement, rhythm, play, and creativity. We have taken this work into rehabilitation centres, special schools, care homes, orphanages, community spaces, and other institutional settings—using creative movement to nurture wellbeing, resilience, communication, and belonging.

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🏛️ BASISHTA DANCE FESTIVAL

The Basistha Dance Festival is a proposed signature cultural initiative bringing together classical dance, devotion, and heritage within the sacred precincts of Basistha Temple, Guwahati. Inspired by India’s ancient tradition of dance as seva—an offering to the divine, the festival seeks to create a distinctive platform where classical arts can be experienced in their sacred context, offering artists and audiences a deeply immersive cultural experience. With participation from eminent and emerging artists, the festival will celebrate India’s living classical traditions, deepen cultural engagement, and strengthen Guwahati’s place on India’s cultural map. A vision to create a landmark cultural experience where art, spirituality, and heritage converge.

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The Reality

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.

Amid the demands of everyday life, opportunities for artistic expression are often limited. At Shivang Foundation, we believe that the arts are not an extra—they are essential. Through dance and creative learning, children gain confidence, discover their unique voice, and find a community where they feel seen, valued, and inspired.

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At the same time, there is a growing need for creative spaces that foster emotional well-being, self-expression, and resilience—particularly among children and young people.

In the midst of changing lifestyles, our classical art forms risk becoming disconnected from everyday life, making it all the more important to preserve and pass them on to future generations.

Our Impact

Numbers that carry stories.

400+
Lives Touched
16+
Years of Service
75+
Performances & Presentations
20+
Communities Reached

Support access. Support expression. Support culture.

Your support helps open doors for a child, sustain meaningful programs, and keep a rich tradition alive.

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Corporate Partners

Your partnership. Their potential. Our heritage.

Join Shivang Foundation in making Indian classical arts accessible to underserved children, strengthening cultural heritage, and creating lasting social impact through the transformative power of the arts.

  • Arts Education & Cultural Preservation
  • Mental Health & Well-being Programs
  • Scholarship & Training Sponsorship
  • Event & Festival Co-partnership
  • Research & Documentation Projects
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Why Partner With Us?

Measurable impact · Section 8 certified · Full documentation

400+
Beneficiaries
100%
Fund Utilisation
80G
Tax Exemption
Fully Transparent
Compliant
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Namrata Tiwari Talukdar, Founder of Shivang Foundation
Our Founder
Namrata Tiwari Talukdar
Bharatanatyam Guru · Therapeutic Movement Practitioner · Cultural Activist

Namrata Tiwari Talukdar is a versatile dancer and Therapeutic Movement Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Manipuri. Trained under Professor M. R. Krishnamurthy, a devoted disciple of the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale, she has established herself as a respected performer, educator, and advocate for the arts and holistic wellness. Namrata Tiwari Talukdar holds a degree in B.A. LL.B. and an M.F.A. in Bharatanatyam from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. She is also a certified therapeutic movement practitioner, trained under the Creative Movement Therapy Association of India and accredited by CID-UNESCO France. Namrata has been a panellist at the Women Economic Forum North East (2018) and was honoured by the All-Ladies League, Delhi (2019), for excellence in dance and women's leadership. Her performances and contributions have also been featured in programmes organised by the Kannada & Cultural Department of Karnataka and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Her work bridges performance, pedagogy, and healing, using movement as a medium for self-expression and emotional well-being. Namrata has facilitated therapeutic dance movement sessions for institutions such as the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), All India Institute of Medical Sciences – College of Nursing (AIIMS-CON), FICCI Flo (North East), Assam Downtown University and Asian Institute of Nursing Education (AINE) to name a few. Through workshops and guided sessions, she continues to help individuals discover balance, confidence, and inner harmony through movement.

Award of "Iconic Women Creating a Better World" by All-Ladies League, Delhi (2019)
“Exceptional Woman of Excellence” in the field of Dance by Women Economic Forum, North East (2018)
Swabhalambhi Naree Award by Looms Ecopreneurs Federation
Certified Therapeutic Movement Practitioner by Creative Movement Therapy Association of India and accredited by CID-UNESCO France
Nritya Ratna Samman by Swaralipi Assam
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Awards & Recognition
Award of "Iconic Women Creating a Better World" by All-Ladies League, Delhi (2019)
ALL LADIES LEAGUE DELHI
“Exceptional Woman of Excellence” in the field of Dance by Women Economic Forum, North East (2018)
WOMEN ECONOMIC FORUM NORTH EAST
Swabhalambhi Naree Award by Looms Ecopreneurs Federation
Looms Ecopreneurs Federation NORTH EAST
Certified Therapeutic Movement Practitioner by Creative Movement Therapy Association of India and accredited by CID-UNESCO France
CMTAI CID · UNESCO FRANCE
Nritya Ratna Samman — Swaralipi Assam
NRITYA RATNA SAMMAN SWARALIPI ASSAM
Testimonials

Voices from Our Community

Words from people who have walked this journey with us. (Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our students and families.)

Parent

"I work as a maid in different houses. Learning Bharatanatyam was never something I could even think of for my daughter. It was simply beyond our means. When Shivang Foundation gave her this opportunity, I couldn't believe it. Today, when I see her in costume on stage, I feel proud that she is getting a chance I never had."

Sunita (Domestic Worker)
Parent

"My daughter studies in a government school. We always wanted her to learn something meaningful after school, but classes were too expensive. Shivang Foundation welcomed her with so much love and encouragement. She has become more confident, disciplined and happy."

Rina (Mother of a Government School Student)
Parent

"I work in a grocery shop and my income is limited. We never imagined our daughter could learn a classical dance like Bharatanatyam. Shivang Foundation made it possible. She now looks forward to every class and has learned the value of hard work and respect."

Kamal (Father, Grocery Shop Employee)
Parent

"Life has never been easy for us. I worried that my son would miss out on opportunities because of our financial situation. At Shivang Foundation, no one made us feel different. They encouraged him, believed in him and gave him a place where he feels confident."

Parveen (Single Mother)
Parent

"Before joining Shivang Foundation, my daughter was very shy. She would never stand in front of people. Now she performs on stage with confidence. The teachers treat every child with patience and care. We are truly grateful."

Anita (Mother of Two)
Parent

"For families like ours, art is often seen as a luxury. Shivang Foundation showed us that every child deserves the chance to learn, no matter what their background is. My daughter has not only learned dance but has also become more responsible and confident."

Laxmi (Household Worker)
Community Voice

What stands out is not just the quality of training, but the intention behind the work. It is rare to see such commitment towards making arts accessible to all.

Local Supporter (Name withheld)
Parent

"I pull a rickshaw to support my family. There were days when I couldn't even afford to keep my children in school, and my sons had to work in a local shop to help us survive. Dance was something we never thought would be part of our lives. But one of my sons always wanted to learn." "When Shivang Foundation welcomed him without worrying about our financial condition, it gave him a chance we could never have provided. Today, he continues to dance with pride, and dreams of a better future. As a father, I feel that someone believed in my child when we had almost lost hope."

An Extension of Our Work

Shivang Training

The Academy operates as the training arm of our foundation — offering structured Bharatanatyam courses for those who wish to pursue classical dance as a personal or professional journey. Fees generated here directly support our free programs for underprivileged children.

The Academy is a separate, fee-based offering. Our NGO programs for underprivileged children remain fully free and independently funded through donations and CSR partnerships.
Explore the Academy
Beginner Foundation -- Level 1 (All ages)
Build a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam through posture, basic adavus, rhythm, hand gestures and foundational movement vocabulary.
Classical Repertoire -- Levels 2–3 (1+ Year of Training)
Develop technique, musicality and expression through structured repertoire, choreography and progressively complex adavus and jatis.
Advanced Margam -- Levels 4–5 (3+ Years of Training)
Deepen your understanding of the Bharatanatyam Margam through advanced technique, abhinaya, rhythm and performance-oriented repertoire.
Teacher Training -- Advanced · (For Aspiring Gurus)
A focused pathway for dedicated senior students who wish to develop the knowledge, discipline and teaching skills required to guide the next generation of Bharatanatyam students.