Events

Rachna Nivas is a performing artist, choreographer, educator, community organizer, and activist of Indian classical art. Her work is rooted in elevating feminine consciousness and Eastern philosophies that challenge dominant Eurocentric cultural paradigms. She is a passionate protector and champion of an important lineage of classical Indian dance while advancing its modernity through thoughtful evolution. Called by critics “revelatory”, “charismatic”, a dancer who “radiates power and grace”, she is an innovative and powerful artist. After rising to principal dancer in legendary icon Pandit Chitresh Das’ acclaimed company for 15 years, she is now co-founder of Leela Dance Collective and is building and leading its New York City chapter while also growing her solo body of work in a generative time of her artistic journey. 

Shilpa Agarwal facilitates healing through engagement with the Divine Feminine and frameworks of consciousness based in Yoga, Tantra, and Ayurveda. Shilpa has received diksha into the Sri Vidya tradition and is certified in Reiki and other modalities of lightwork. Through intensive work in healing her own auto-immune condition, she has a developed a deep understanding of trauma, epigenetics, and vibrational medicine. Shilpa’s vision is for her students to become their own self-healers and, in turn, become hubs of healing for their families and communities. She is excited to connect with people interested in self-discovery, inner transformation, and healing their lives and relationships.

Dr. Sejal Desai is a leading obesity medicine physician with a passion for empowering patients to take control of their health. With a focus on peri and postmenopausal women's health, she provides personalized, evidence-based care to help women manage their weight and live with vitality through this transition. As a recognized expert in obesity management, Dr. Desai has become a trusted voice in the medical community, frequently sharing her insights on the latest treatments and approaches to weight management and has been featured in many podcasts, webinars and conferences. She has also been selected as the 2024 Houstonia Magazine Top Doc for Obesity Medicine.

Gunjen Mittal (preferred pronouns: she/they) is a healing justice advocate and a performing artist who serves her community as a Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Self-Taught Herbalist and a Permaculture organic gardener. She is an intuitive mixed-media artist, a poet and a classically trained Indian dancer (specializing in Odissi) and a Freestyle dancer since childhood.She is initiated in and continues to study the Himalayan Kriya meditation system and tantric sciences by Himalayan monks all based in Sanskrit heritage. She performs and offers workshops intertwining yoga and dance elements as a way to explore the body, to allow for somatic release and to enjoy one's authenticity.

Gunjen currently works for Austin Public Health to address intersectional racial/health inequities centering the lives of BIPOC and refugee communities from a holistic perspective. She also worked with victims and survivors of gender-based violence and trauma for over 15 years both in Houston and Austin. Gunjen believes that communing together in such spaces can lead to collective innerstanding and liberation for all.

A lifelong writer, Saborna has published short stories, articles, and essays in various publications. She's also published two award-winning novels with traditional publishers. Writing from a global perspective, Saborna’s themes are universal yet intensely personal and authentic, touching on multicultural relationships, social justice, immigration, and the humanitarian world. Saborna’s second novel, “Everything Here Belongs to You,” was released in June by Texas based publisher, Black Rose Writing and received a starred review from Indie Reader. Recently her book won the Reader's Favorite Book Awards and 2024 International Book Awards.

Saborna was born and raised in Kolkata, India, and moved to the U.S. for undergraduate work in chemistry. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and twin daughters. When she is not writing and chasing fictional characters, she is a very earnest Chemistry Instructor at various Community Colleges.

Sheetal Otia is a talented moss artist with over 25 years of experience. Her artistic journey began as a henna artist, where she first explored her creativity through intricate designs inspired by her cultural heritage. Over time, her passion evolved, leading her to explore Hindu mythological characters in her artwork, further deepening her connection to her roots.

In 2019, Sheetal's artistic path took a transformative turn when she was commissioned to create a calming piece for a functional medical clinic. It was during this project that she discovered her love for nature and moss art. The experience was so profound that it inspired her to dedicate herself entirely to this unique medium. Since then, Sheetal's moss art has gained recognition, winning first place in art competitions and captivating audiences as live art during events.

Indian born and raised contemporary artist, Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee, is known around the globe for her artwork dedicated to marine conservation. As an interdisciplinary artist, she
works in various media, to create a sustainable studio practice featuring Neo Rococo artwork and interactive public art installations that are both educational and up-lifting.

She firmly believes art can be used to heal our oceans and to help scientists communicate their important work. She has been named a 2023 Creative Revolutionary by CODAworx, one of the top art and design leaders changing the world and was also honored with the organization’s 2023 “People’s Choice” award. She wants to live in a world where everyone can experience the
beauty of our oceans.

Ami Mehta is a multidisciplinary visual artist working primarily in inks, charcoal, textiles, and enamel. She creates in both abstract expressionist and figurative veins and draws from her eclectic experiences growing up in a drastically disparate array of cultures, as well as from her twelve years studying and working in architecture. 

Ami’s works are included in the permanent art collections of the City of Houston, Houston Endowment, the Alamo Community College system, University Health Women and Children’s Hospital, North Shore University Hospital, Fort Bend County and the University of Houston. Ami also has permanent pieces in locations around Houston such as, The Magnolia Hotel, JW Marriott and Four Seasons, as well as in other cities such as The Gwen in Chicago, Westin Mammoth Lakes, Washington Court Hotel in DC, Hard Rock Hotel Fort Lauderdale, Four Seasons Dallas, and ICON’s House Zero in Austin.

Art has always been my passion for life. From the age I could recognize colors, I remember loving art in any form. My topic always centered around the concept of strong women. That is because I grew up among strong bold women who were not afraid to follow their dreams. I want to project that energy through my paintings. I believe in body positivity, women empowerment and mutual respect. I believe that art can speak volumes and I believe that true art can change the world. I believe that every single woman is a Devi with special powers!