ASEEMKALA MEANS ‘ART WITHOUT BORDERS’ IN SANSKRIT.

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

Credit: Kiya Marie

 Traditional dances consistently represent the beliefs of indigenous communities around the world. The values revealed through danced mythology can still be seen today in the performances by diverse classical and traditional artists. The Aseemkala Initiative believes there is an inherent  healing in traditional dance performances–in the music, lyrics, dance gestures, religious rites, sacred food, and cultural storytelling offered to a connected community audience. The Aseemkala Initiative believes that telling our stories in our own dance “voices” is essential for empowering indigenous women in both patient gowns and white coats. 

We do this through: 

Credit: Kiya Marie

INTERCULTURAL FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHY

 The Aseemkala Initiative works with diverse indigenous communities to create cross-cultural dance stories. We hope co-choreography enables participants to be in charge of their own stories and cultural preservation as they see appropriate and also share experiences with other indigenous communities. 

TRADITIONAL DANCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL

The holistic, natural structures of traditional dances make them a medium for optimum delivery of medical care and for changing health behaviors, especially in resource-constrained settings. We offer workshops and work with local partners in Peru, Uganda, Laos, and Cambodia to create indigenous women-led health projects designed and directed by the women themselves. 

 PHYSICIAN REINTEGRATION INTO COMMUNITIES WITH DANCE

For too long, modern medicine has tried to separate the patient from the physician, drawing them as different entities. Traditional medical cultures say the opposite; they ask the physician to be the artist, dancing with the people. In this way, both the physician and patient heal together. 

 VISION, VALUES & GOALS

By connecting traditional dance with stories of modern medicine, the Aseemkala Initiative hopes to redefine our global health practices and empower women to advocate for themselves.