Shakti Bhakti Ensemble was founded in 2010 in Santa Cruz, California. Our dance company is dedicated to the exposition of Odissi Classical Indian Dance as well as developing new directions in classical dance. Shakti Bhakti dancers are a diverse and dynamic group of women, bringing to the stage a compelling display of rhythm, movement, and color with a fresh perspective of an ancient dance form.
Revital Carroll, founder and artistic director, had studied Odissi Dance with some of India’s most eminent dance gurus; Gangadhar Pradhan, Bichitrannada Swain, Sujata Mohapatra, and Sharmila Biswas, to name a few. She teaches and performs worldwide.
Romy in Paros Retreat
SBE, Tribal Fest '13
Church Street Fest - Carmela
Cheryl performs Pada Bhande
Sivani at Rajarani, Odisha 2014
Shakti Bhakti Ensemble, "Ocean of Bliss"
Melani, "Dancing in the Streets" 2014
Carmela in Paros Retreat
Shauna in Mukteshwar Mandir, 2012
Cheryl in Church St. Fest
Tenley in Rajarani Mandir, 2014
Frances in Xinalani, Mexico, 2013
Jaydee in Konark Sun Temple, 2014
"Lotus Moon", Santa Cruz, 2014
Gwendolyn in Odisha, India 2014
"Dancing in the Streets" 2016
Cabrillo Festival, 2015
Melani in "Lotus Moon" 2013
Andrea at Church Street Fest, 2014
"Tanniversary" 2013
"Nava Durga", Tannery Santa Cruz, 2013
Odisha 2014 Retreat
Fringe Festival 2013
Cheryl, "Dancing in the Streets" 2014
"Lotus Moon", Santa Cruz, 2014
1st Bay area Classical Indian Dance Fest. 2014
Jennifer Moiles in Odisha, 2014
"Artsmart", 2014
Yuva Bharati Festival, San Jose, 2015
"Magic Carpet" 2015, Mello Center, Watsonville
"Devotion", 2012
"Shakti Rising", 2013
Nouveau Devadasi 2014
"Shakti Rising", 418 Project, Santa Cruz, 2013
"Lotus Moon" by Shakti Bhakti Ensemble, 2014
Ethnic Dance Festival, Santa Cruz, 2014
Xinalani Retreat, Mexico, 2013
"Holy" at MAH, Santa Cruz
"Ocean of Bliss" by Shakti Bhakti Ensemble
Shakti Bhakti Ensemble, 2016
Prajna Vieira is a vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, and yoga teacher, best known as lead singer of the acclaimed kirtan ensemble “Mukti,” and for her work with world music pioneer Jai Uttal. She began practicing kirtan at age five, and today she leads kirtans all over the west coast. Prajna has had a prestigious career as a Ballet dancer in her youth as well, and she is thrilled to return to dance, this time merging her devotion to Jaganath with her love of dance. Prajna’s mission is to lovingly bridge the traditional, cultural roots of Bhakti Yoga with the soulful flavor of modern expression.