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.

 
 
 
I have auditioned (and collaborated with) many dancers and choreographers from various forms of sacred dance for our Mantra Dance Project, and recently had an opportunity to witness Revital’s live Odissi performance. I was struck by several things that I found remarkable: her technical ability and focus, impeccable costumes, and a third quality that might be called ‘amazing presence.’ I would call it channeling Shakti; which some would define as ‘primordial life force energy of the divine feminine.’ Her dance performances are truly riveting and a delight to behold.
— Peter DeLong, Mantra Dance Project, Clarity Productions, CA
 
 
Your performances are a fusion of ancient spirit, emotional presence, and sheer delight. Your joyful graceful moves are so intricate and precise! I deeply enjoyed it and will come back for more.
— John Davidson, Santa Rosa, CA