Administrative Staff
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Internationally renowned performer, choreographer and instructor, Farah received her training for almost two decades from the late Pandit Chitresh Das. In 2016, Farah founded her own cultural arts organization, Noorani Dance.
In addition to her work as a the Artistic Director of Noorani Dance, Farah oversees all aspects of the administrati
Internationally renowned performer, choreographer and instructor, Farah received her training for almost two decades from the late Pandit Chitresh Das. In 2016, Farah founded her own cultural arts organization, Noorani Dance.
In addition to her work as a the Artistic Director of Noorani Dance, Farah oversees all aspects of the administrative infrastructure and programs for the organization.
Learn more about Farah
Rabia Meghani, Director of Programs
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Rabia Meghani (she/her) is a Medical Researcher, Behavioral Therapist, Educator, Yoga Therapist and a student of Kathak. Rabia’s formal education is in public health and epidemiology. Merging her knowledge of disease and the ancient science of Yoga and Ayurveda, Rabia aims to make these practices accessible to the masses while honoring th
Rabia Meghani (she/her) is a Medical Researcher, Behavioral Therapist, Educator, Yoga Therapist and a student of Kathak. Rabia’s formal education is in public health and epidemiology. Merging her knowledge of disease and the ancient science of Yoga and Ayurveda, Rabia aims to make these practices accessible to the masses while honoring the roots of the science. Her passion lies in harmonizing western medicine with eastern healing methodologies.
Lakshmi Ravi, School Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Lakshmi Ravi, School Director
Lakshmi, a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, fluent in several Indian languages is the School Administrator for Noorani Dance. She has about 8 years of Non profit experience working with youth at the India Community Center She has mentored and empowered summer camp counselors to become the best role models they can be for the younger generatio
Lakshmi, a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, fluent in several Indian languages is the School Administrator for Noorani Dance. She has about 8 years of Non profit experience working with youth at the India Community Center She has mentored and empowered summer camp counselors to become the best role models they can be for the younger generation. She has 2 daughters presently learning Kathak under Farah in the Noorani Dance School and would one day love to return back to dancing Kathak.
Bhumi Patel, Development Manager
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Bhumi is a queer, desi artist/activist who creates intersectional feminist, multidisciplinary art. Her work traverses dancing, choreographing, curating, educating, writing, and arts administration. She earned her MA in American Dance Studies from Florida State University and her MFA in Dance from Mills College. Patel is on faculty at West
Bhumi is a queer, desi artist/activist who creates intersectional feminist, multidisciplinary art. Her work traverses dancing, choreographing, curating, educating, writing, and arts administration. She earned her MA in American Dance Studies from Florida State University and her MFA in Dance from Mills College. Patel is on faculty at West Valley College, Lone Mountain Children’s Center, and Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. Bhumi is a member of Cat Call Choir.
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Prior to being the Administrative Manager at Noorani Dance, Shubhra Mathur was the Youth Programs Manager at India Community Center, managing the planning and execution of classes, camps and other initiatives for youth. Shubhra speaks fluent German besides English and Hindi, and has recently returned to her study and training of Kathak.
Trisha Chhaganlal, Marketing Manager
Shubhra Mathur, Administrative Manager
Trisha Chhaganlal, Marketing Manager
Trisha brings with her a passion for both Kathak and a dedication to furthering the art among and beyond the South Asian community using social media and marketing strategies. After growing a community of over 130K followers across YouTube and Instagram with her own Dance organization called LTR Dance company, Trisha works with Noorani Da
Trisha brings with her a passion for both Kathak and a dedication to furthering the art among and beyond the South Asian community using social media and marketing strategies. After growing a community of over 130K followers across YouTube and Instagram with her own Dance organization called LTR Dance company, Trisha works with Noorani Dance in supporting its many programs and initiatives. From the Heartistry Talk Show, a podcast hosted by Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Noorani Dance School, Noorani Dance Company, and much of Farah's marketing presence, Trisha enjoys creating dynamic and meaningful content for our organization and social media audiences.
Ishika Seth, Company Manager
Maha Sami, Administrative Assistant
Maha Sami, Administrative Assistant
Ishika (she/her) (she/her) is a South Asian choreographer, dancer, dance educator and writer based in the unceded lands of the Ohlone people (Bay Area). She is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Ishami Dance Company, a Bay Area based South Asian Contemporary Dance company. Since 2007, Ishika has been choreographing for festivals, eve
Ishika (she/her) (she/her) is a South Asian choreographer, dancer, dance educator and writer based in the unceded lands of the Ohlone people (Bay Area). She is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Ishami Dance Company, a Bay Area based South Asian Contemporary Dance company. Since 2007, Ishika has been choreographing for festivals, events, theatrical productions as well as original works, presenting her work in the Bay Area and New York. She has her BA in Dance from SJSU and studied Indian Contemporary Dance, jazz, yoga and Mayurbhanj Chhau in India, and had the opportunity to be a part of Santosh Nair’s company Sadhya. She was the Assistant Artistic Director of the Mona Khan Company from 2011-2021. She is humbled to join Noorani Dance under the guidance of Farah Yasmeen Shaikh.
Maha Sami, Administrative Assistant
Maha Sami, Administrative Assistant
Maha Sami, Administrative Assistant
Maha is an avid dance enthusiast. She has supported and participated in many dance performances since her childhood in Abu Dhabi & her early adult life in Montreal.
After moving to the SF Bay Area, she joined the local dance community by participating in a number of Dance Classes and Events. She then took a more active role serving as a Vi
Maha is an avid dance enthusiast. She has supported and participated in many dance performances since her childhood in Abu Dhabi & her early adult life in Montreal.
After moving to the SF Bay Area, she joined the local dance community by participating in a number of Dance Classes and Events. She then took a more active role serving as a Videographer, Video shoot Assistant & Editor with Trisha.
Maha is fluent in English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu & French.
Board of Directors
Uma Menon, Board President
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Uma Menon met Farah Yasmeen Shaikh over 15 years back, when introducing her daughter Athena to Kathak through Chhandam. Later on she became a student, TA, volunteer as well and worked with Farah in many dimensions. Since inception of Noorani, she has gratefully seen FarahDi's mentorship and teaching touch many lives including hers.
Uma wor
Uma Menon met Farah Yasmeen Shaikh over 15 years back, when introducing her daughter Athena to Kathak through Chhandam. Later on she became a student, TA, volunteer as well and worked with Farah in many dimensions. Since inception of Noorani, she has gratefully seen FarahDi's mentorship and teaching touch many lives including hers.
Uma works at Google and is passionate about leveling children's education around the world. Performing and fine arts are synonymous to godliness in her family.
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
A true desi at heart, Arti gravitates towards the arts from South Asia, be it dance, music or poetry. Having originally enrolled her daughter in classes at Noorani Dance, Arti was drawn not only to the dance technique, but also the culture, etiquette, expression and self confidence that is imparted to each student, and for the high standa
A true desi at heart, Arti gravitates towards the arts from South Asia, be it dance, music or poetry. Having originally enrolled her daughter in classes at Noorani Dance, Arti was drawn not only to the dance technique, but also the culture, etiquette, expression and self confidence that is imparted to each student, and for the high standards of discipline and of community that exists at Noorani Dance. Art is a VP, Americas Compliance, PMO at Bank of the West
Najma Noorani
Arti Dusane, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Najma Noorani
Born in pre Partition India, and moving to Pakistan as a young child, Najma grew up in Karachi where she trained to be a Physical Therapist. Upon moving to the US in 1971 and starting her family, she opted to manage a physical therapy practice with her husband for over 20 years in Salinas, CA. Avid patrons of the South Asian arts, Najma a
Born in pre Partition India, and moving to Pakistan as a young child, Najma grew up in Karachi where she trained to be a Physical Therapist. Upon moving to the US in 1971 and starting her family, she opted to manage a physical therapy practice with her husband for over 20 years in Salinas, CA. Avid patrons of the South Asian arts, Najma and her family would regularly attend classical, Qawwali, and dance performances for many years, enduring the one way 2-hour long drive to the Bay Area where most of the events took place. Upon retiring in the early 2000’s, Najma and her husband, Amjad, decided to move closer to where the action was so they could enjoy even more of such events.
Philanthropy has always been a core value for Najma and her husband, both dedicated volunteers and supporters of education in Pakistan through their commitment to The Citizens Foundation (TCF), and of countless causes and organizations with the intention of doing their part to better humanity and the world we live in.
And yes, if you’re wondering about the connection to Najma’s name, she happens to be the mother of Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, founder of Noorani Dance.
Huma Hamid
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Najma Noorani
Huma Hamid is a product, technology, community leader, and non-profit founder, with a passion for building inclusive digital products, diverse high-performing teams, and thriving global communities to create an inclusive and sustainable future for all. She currently serves as the board co-chair at Pakistani Women in Computing, a 501(C)3 U
Huma Hamid is a product, technology, community leader, and non-profit founder, with a passion for building inclusive digital products, diverse high-performing teams, and thriving global communities to create an inclusive and sustainable future for all. She currently serves as the board co-chair at Pakistani Women in Computing, a 501(C)3 US-based global non-profit, a board member for the Women of Cisco Americas and the global advisor for the Cisco-WISE Social Justice and Inclusive Innovation initiative. https://www.humahamid.com/
Pallavi Mittal
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Pallavi is an engineer, and is passionate about building communities through arts and technology. She loves to build, both physically and figuratively, through her work as a construction engineer and her mentorship of grad students at Berkeley. Her love for South Asian arts led her to an impromptu Noorani Dance hosted Garba workshop, whic
Pallavi is an engineer, and is passionate about building communities through arts and technology. She loves to build, both physically and figuratively, through her work as a construction engineer and her mentorship of grad students at Berkeley. Her love for South Asian arts led her to an impromptu Noorani Dance hosted Garba workshop, which resulted in the start of studying Kathak at Noorani Dance School. Soon after, Pallavi joined a volunteer committee for a Noorani Dance production, and now continues to deepen her commitment to the organization as member of the Board of Directors.
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, Founder & Director
Internationally renowned performer, choreographer and instructor, Farah received her training in Kathak for almost two decades from the late Pandit Chitresh Das. In 2016, Farah founded her own cultural arts organization, Noorani Dance - presenting and producing traditional and innovative training and performances, and collaborative partn
Internationally renowned performer, choreographer and instructor, Farah received her training in Kathak for almost two decades from the late Pandit Chitresh Das. In 2016, Farah founded her own cultural arts organization, Noorani Dance - presenting and producing traditional and innovative training and performances, and collaborative partnerships across other forms of performing arts, displaying Farah’s unique artistic expression and vision coupled with the classical and innovative style of her Guru, the late Kathak maestro, Pandit Chitresh Das. Farah directs all aspects of the administrative and artistic aspects of Noorani Dance and has received recognition and awards for her work from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, New England Foundation for the Arts, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, San Francisco Foundation, SVCreates, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and Dancers’ Group and the California Arts Council.
AdVisory Board
Somya Chauhan
Iram Parveen Bilal
Iram Parveen Bilal
Somya Chauhan, CPA, is an Indian-American business executive. She is currently in the Finance team at Alphabet Inc. where she leads a team that is responsible for the company’s global expenses, month close reporting and day-to-day operations. Somya has trained to be a career coach. She facilitates a leadership development program at Googl
Somya Chauhan, CPA, is an Indian-American business executive. She is currently in the Finance team at Alphabet Inc. where she leads a team that is responsible for the company’s global expenses, month close reporting and day-to-day operations. Somya has trained to be a career coach. She facilitates a leadership development program at Google and also offers one-on-one career coaching sessions. Prior to joining Google, Somya worked in corporate accounting at HP and prior to HP in the audit and advisory services at EY in Chicago and the Bay Area. Somya hosts Talks at Google Speaker Series bringing Googlers from around the globe face-to-face with today’s most prominent and innovative thought leaders including Darren J Gold, Bobbi Brown and Dylan Werner. Somya is on the board of California Society of CPAs that serves over 45,000 members and is an advisor to various non profits including GirlVentures and NextLevel. LinkedinInstagram
Iram Parveen Bilal
Iram Parveen Bilal
Iram Parveen Bilal
Iram Parveen Bilal is a Filmmaker, and a global content creator and enabler, who focuses on thought-provoking stories that are socially impactful and envision an inclusive world. Her third feature I’LL MEET YOU THERE just premiered in the narrative competition at South x Southwest. Iram is now focusing on TV directing and creating, and Ir
Iram Parveen Bilal is a Filmmaker, and a global content creator and enabler, who focuses on thought-provoking stories that are socially impactful and envision an inclusive world. Her third feature I’LL MEET YOU THERE just premiered in the narrative competition at South x Southwest. Iram is now focusing on TV directing and creating, and Iram’s Pilot, DETAINED, about two detained matriarchs in an ICE detention center, just made the top twenty un-produced, female written pilots’ list for WeForShe. Eager to raise while rising, Iram is an active mentor for women in film and tech. She believes genuine curiosity is the only antidote to fear.
Antara Bhardwaj
Antara Bhardwaj
Antara Bhardwaj
Antara Bhardwaj began her study of kathak at the age of nine with kathak maestro Pandit Chitresh Das, and has continued to pass the tradition of story-telling through dance and music with her own dance company and school, Antara Asthaayi Dance. In 2019, Bhardwaj was Honored as a Mosaic Silicon Valley Fellow for commitment to artistic exce
Antara Bhardwaj began her study of kathak at the age of nine with kathak maestro Pandit Chitresh Das, and has continued to pass the tradition of story-telling through dance and music with her own dance company and school, Antara Asthaayi Dance. In 2019, Bhardwaj was Honored as a Mosaic Silicon Valley Fellow for commitment to artistic excellence and strengthening community through multicultural arts. Her panache and magnetism have dazzled audiences throughout the U.S. and India, including a nationally televised performance in India, the creation of several world premiere performances throughout the Bay Area, as well as choreographing, performing, and cultural advising for Opera San Jose’s latest rendition of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” based in colonial India, as a part of her fellowship with Mosaic America. Always trying to reach audiences beyond the traditional, her lecture demonstration "Dancing Mathematics," highlights the complex mathematics in the Hindustani music system, and has been presented routinely by several museums and tech companies. She identifies herself as a story-teller - her mediums being kathak, film, and writing. As a filmmaker, her production Upaj:Improvise, a dance documentary, was televised nationally on PBS (2014), and is currently available on Amazon. Bhardwaj continues to produce short dance films, while developing her mastery of taal (rhythm) under the mentorship of Sandeep Das (a Grammy-award winning artist with whom she regularly collaborates and tours), and mentoring over twenty-five young girls and women through the art form of kathak.
Sonya Pelia
Antara Bhardwaj
Antara Bhardwaj
Sonya Pelia runs dual leadership tracks in tech startups and gender equality activism. She is Co-Founder & COO at the Monarch Mavens Startup Growth Navigator. Sonya mentors founders at the Silicon Valley Alchemist Accelerator, is a founding LP at How Women Invest VC Fund I, has been a nonprofit leader and board member at Maitri for almost 30 years, and a TEDx Speaker.