Noorani Dance
Founded: 2016
Languages of Performance: Music lyrics in Urdu & English
Noorani Dance is a Bay Area–based cultural arts nonprofit founded and directed by acclaimed Kathak artist Farah Yasmeen Shaikh. Rooted in the classical North Indian dance tradition of Kathak, the company brings together a performing ensemble and dance school dedicated to both preservation and innovation. Noorani Dance is known for its evocative storytelling and technically rigorous work, often exploring social and historical themes from South Asia that resonate within contemporary global contexts. Drawing on Shaikh’s extensive training under master Pandit Chitresh Das and her international performance career, the company presents works that bridge tradition and modernity through collaboration across artistic disciplines. Through performances, education, and community engagement, Noorani Dance contributes a distinct dance-theater perspective to the South Asian performing arts landscape in Silicon Valley.
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Noorani Dance Company in traditional Kathak costume and repertoireThe Noorani Dance Company (NDC), founded by Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, is breaking barriers in the world of Kathak. With a deep commitment to enlightening minds and hearts through the arts, NDC engages in traditional and innovative repertoire and performances - exploring topics and themes of historical and social global relevance, and thrives in collaborative partnerships across other genres of performing arts. -
The Forgotten EmpressThe Forgotten Empress is dynamic-dance drama based on the history and life of Empress Noor Jahan exploring the influence she had in 17th century Mughal India, and how she maintained her delicate power in a male dominated empire only to be almost forgotten in the latter years of her life and in death. Farah portrays a frightened Mehrunissa who has just witnessed her first husband being killed, and now fearing her own life and that of her daughter, Ladli. -
The Forgotten EmpressThe Forgotten Empress is dynamic-dance drama based on the history and life of Empress Noor Jahan exploring the influence she had in 17th century Mughal India, and how she maintained her delicate power in a male dominated empire only to be almost forgotten in the latter years of her life and in death. Farah portrays an enraged Ali Quli (first husband to Mehrunissa (Empress Noor Jahan). -
The Forgotten EmpressThe Forgotten Empress is dynamic-dance drama based on the history and life of Empress Noor Jahan exploring the influence she had in 17th century Mughal India, and how she maintained her delicate power in a male dominated empire only to be almost forgotten in the latter years of her life and in death. Photo of Farah portraying a drunk Prince Salim who is angry with his father (Emperor Akbar) and is plotting to poison him. -
The Forgotten EmpressThe Forgotten Empress is dynamic-dance drama based on the history and life of Empress Noor Jahan exploring the influence she had in 17th century Mughal India, and how she maintained her delicate power in a male dominated empire only to be almost forgotten in the latter years of her life and in death. Photo of Farah portraying Empress Jagat Gosini, second wife to Emperor Jahangir. -
The Forgotten EmpressThe Forgotten Empress is dynamic-dance drama based on the history and life of Empress Noor Jahan exploring the influence she had in 17th century Mughal India, and how she maintained her delicate power in a male dominated empire only to be almost forgotten in the latter years of her life and in death. Photo of Farah portraying Empress Noor Jahan in battle to save her husband, Emperor Jahangir.
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Subh-e-Azaadi - Dawn of FreedomThe production portrays the impact of the 1947 Partition of India into two independent nation states, India Based on excerpts of the poem by the great Pakistani Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, questioning the outcome of the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, and the “dawn” that came from the anticipated “freedom,” this piece asks: “Is this the dawn that we all ached for? No, this is not that one.” Pakistan.