Shakti Mohan Brings Russian Folk Traditions to India with ‘Dance Across The World’

Mumbai — Renowned dancer and choreographer Shakti Mohan is expanding her global cultural initiative with the latest episode of her YouTube series *Dance Across The World*, this time spotlighting Russia’s rich folk dance heritage.

To celebrate the launch, Shakti hosted an intimate premiere evening attended by close friends, family members, and industry colleagues, turning the occasion into a moment of artistic pride and cross-cultural celebration.

Through her digital intellectual property (IP), Shakti has been travelling internationally to document and revive traditional folk dance forms for contemporary audiences. Season 1 featured countries such as Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Tanzania. Season 2 expanded to Georgia, Australia, and Bhutan. The current season now turns its focus to Russia, reflecting the growing scale of her vision.

Speaking about the concept, Shakti explained that the show aims to explore ancient folk dance traditions that are raw, authentic, and deeply rooted in cultural history. She emphasised the importance of preserving these art forms by presenting them to younger generations. Combining her love for travel and dance, she described the series as a perfect fusion of passion and purpose.

Discussing her experience with Russian folk dance, Shakti noted its authenticity, richness, and connection to nature and storytelling — elements she finds relatable as a practitioner of Bharatanatyam. She acknowledged the technical differences, particularly in pace and style, which made learning the form both challenging and rewarding.

She also highlighted the warmth she received during her visit, sharing that a Russian choreographer gifted her a traditional headgear as a gesture of appreciation for her dedication. Shakti expressed interest in potential creative fusions, such as blending the Russian folk classic *Kalinka* with Kathak, underscoring the long-standing cultural affinity between India and Russia.

In the Russia-focused episode, Shakti not only performs traditional routines but also embraces the country’s extreme climate, even taking part in an icy cold plunge challenge — reinforcing her commitment to fully experiencing the cultures she documents.

Her sisters, Neeti Mohan and Mukti Mohan, along with several industry peers, attended the launch event in support of her growing global dance archive under her platform Nritya Shakti.

Since its debut, *Dance Across The World* has garnered appreciation for its documentary-style storytelling, which integrates cultural education with entertainment and immersive exploration.

— IANS