Drasti Mody is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator based in Saratoga, CA. Known for her high energy, expressive storytelling, and versatile movement vocabulary, Drasti draws upon her dual identity as an Indian-American immigrant to craft work that resonates across cultures. Her style bridges the devotional depth of Bharatanatyam with the fluidity and dynamism of Kathak and contemporary Western forms, resulting in choreography that is both rooted and experimental.

Drasti began her formal teaching journey in 2020, with the blessings of her longtime teacher and mentor, Guruji Shreemati Jamuna Mitcham. What began as a personal escape through dance has evolved into a passionate calling—to share the richness of Indian classical traditions while creating space for cultural dialogue and connection. As a mother of two, she feels a renewed sense of purpose in passing down heritage, and in telling stories that reflect the lived experiences of women and immigrants.

Her current work, Paheli: The Riddle of Motherhood, is a full-length production that explores the shifting identity of women in motherhood. With Bharatanatyam and Kathak as its foundation and contemporary movement woven throughout, the work highlights the emotional complexities of maternal mental health and creates a safe space for reflection and empathy.

Through her evolving artistic voice, Drasti seeks to amplify stories of women’s empowerment, immigrant journeys, and identity within the South Asian diaspora—always with the goal of fostering deeper human connection through dance.

TRAINING

Beginning her training at the age of 16 with Guruji Shreemati Jamuna Mitcham, Drasti started to share her love of Bollywood through various dance performances in the broader Indian community in NYC. Over time, the intricacy of the mudras (symbolic hand gestures), karanas (breathtaking movement phrases) and abhinaya (facial expression) observed in bharatanatyam led Drasti to begin formal training for her arangetram (performance debut) at the age of 19. In August 2004, she completed her arangetram in Flushing, Queens. Since then, Drasti continued to train with her Guruji while also exploring other dance styles including Kathak, Bollywood, Folk, Hip-hop and Indian Contemporary.

Drasti has performed with various dance companies throughout her 20+ year career. During her undergraduate career, Drasti left her mark as a co-founder of Chankaar, Boston University’s premiere South Asian fusion dance troupe. In 2008, Drasti co-founded and served as the Associate Artistic Director of The Sa Dance Company. Drasti worked as a dancer and choreographer, with performances at notable venues including The Ailey Citigroup Theater, Peabody Essex Museum, Battery Downtown Dance Festival, and more. Drasti received rave reviews from The New York Times for her performance with The Sa Dance Company at the Erasing Borders Dance Festival in downtown Manhattan: “the two young women who sustained a central duet… combined stamina, skill and wonderful glee.” In 2010, Drasti went on to perform with Aatma Performing Arts in their captivating production, Mystic India, The World Tour, including a performance in Basel, Switzerland. After settling in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2012, Drasti danced and choreographed with Nachle SF. Drasti is currently a performing artist with Ishami Dance Company.

Drasti Mody CV

ARTIST STATEMENT

For me, dance is a language that speaks when words fall short. It is a space where emotion, identity, and memory converge—a place where I can explore the questions I carry as a woman, an immigrant, and a mother. My work is driven by a desire to express what often goes unspoken: the quiet struggles, layered joys, and unresolved contradictions of life in-between cultures.

Rooted in the classical form of Bharatanatyam and shaped by the freedom of contemporary movement, my choreography reflects the duality of my lived experience. I am not interested in blending styles for aesthetic value alone, but in creating tension and dialogue between them. That friction often becomes the most honest part of the work.

I am drawn to themes that are personal and political: identity, motherhood, mental health, diaspora, and belonging. My creative process is deeply intuitive—shaped by storytelling, rhythmic exploration, and embodied memory. Each piece is a conversation with the audience, but also with myself: a way to uncover truth, reclaim agency, and build bridges across difference.

My art is not about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about feeling seen—and helping others feel seen, too.