Team Blitz India
A multi talented personality, Purnima Desai is the founder of Shikshayatan Cultural Center and Sriniketan Foundation based in New York.
She is being honored for Excellence in Culture by The Indian Panorama.
A motivating and dedicated teacher in vocal and instrumental music, dance, languages, and Indian philosophy, Purnima A. Desai is the Founder and President of Shikshayatan Cultural Center and Sriniketan Foundation based in New York.
The two philanthropic organizations encourage and support Indian culture through music and art, as well as promote the beauty, goodwill, and tranquility of Indian art and culture through educational workshops teaching children and women Hindi, violin, dance, poetry, and painting.
Purnima was born in Calcutta in 1949. She studied at Shri Shikshayatan School and College there. Her father, D.P. Desai, was a lawyer who retired as a legal advisor to The Times of India group.
“I started my cultural journey in Calcutta,” she reminisces. “At Shikshayatan, I learnt Bharatanatyam, Manipuri and Kathak. I also learned many Bengali songs.” Moving to Delhi, she did her MBA and choreographed dance dramas. After her marriage to Ashok C. Desai, a pharmacist, the family moved to New York in 1973. There she opted for the real estate business so she could work from home to raise her three daughters.
Returning to her passion for the arts, she joined the Gujarati Samaj of New York, where her kids would perform. Purnima also started performing there and choreographing as well. She also joined Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and became its executive committee member.
In 1988 Purnima founded her cultural organization – Shikshayatan, naming it after her alma mater. It was needed to impart knowledge about Indian culture to the young generation here who are deprived of the rich Indian heritage.
Shikshayatan is open to all nationalities to come together for peace, harmony, and team spirit. It has been offering lessons in vocal and instrumental music, providing a stage for young and old performers alike. She started in the basement of her home in Flushing, Queens. Initially, she taught pro bono, but had to charge a nominal fee after she started hiring teachers.
Role played by Shikshayatan
By now Shikshayatan has trained several loyal and dedicated students who have supported her organization by giving performances in churches, temples, community events, at South Street Seaport Deepavali celebrations, schools and public libraries. Shikshayatan has a faculty of multitalented and professional artists.
“I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to acquire the best from both India and the United States,” says Purnima. “My gratitude for both is infinite. Now I proudly guide our young generation to balance their life and remain peaceful and profoundly connected to both cultures.”
Each year Shikshayatan showcases the talent of internationally renowned artists and recognizes their talent, contributions, and dedication to preserving the heritage of Hindustani Classical Music. At its Sangeet Mahotsav 2023, over 47 artists performed for 12 hours nonstop with a mesmerizing experience of healing ragas and classical dances.
In 2015, Purnima started the Sriniketan Foundation to fulfill the dream of her late father. “After the death of my mother, he was alone. So, he told me to do something for seniors.”
Sriniketan Foundation’s objective is ‘Building Awareness on the Importance of Happy, Heavenly, Progressive, Peaceful and Blissful Living Style through Mind, Body and Soul Evolution.’ The Foundation promotes spiritual growth by organizing lectures, discourses, seminars, workshops, concerts, fun fairs, competitions, comedy shows, etc.
“My heartfelt purpose is keeping people healthy physically and spiritually and to help the less fortunate,” says Purnima.
She attributes many of her qualities to her close association with her grandfather, L.K. Desai, who had a chance to work with Sardar Patel.
Purnima has celebrated many festivals of India, and anniversaries of saints, sages, and patriotic leaders to disseminate knowledge about India. She has been blessed by spiritual masters and has interacted with dignitaries, diplomats, and renowned artists.
Accomplished artiste and impresario
Purnima is an acknowledged vocalist who has many music albums to her credit. She has authored a children’s book, a book of patriotic songs, and another that contains spiritual songs. She is a scriptwriter, producer and director of short plays – Apna Desh Apne Tyohaar and Bal Ramayan for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
As a program director of cultural events, Purnima has produced and directed more than a thousand cultural programs. She is publisher-editor of ‘Abhyudaya’ magazine in Hindi and English.
Though Purnima Desai is an institution by herself, she has been bestowed several honors and awards. She is a recipient of Dharma Kalyaan Jyoti Madalsa Award by Maa Yog Shakti. All Brahmin Convention 2001 honored her. The World Business Forum presented her with two awards in 2006: “Person of the Year” and “Woman of the Era”. In 2009 she received a citation from the NYC Council and in 2011 “Ambassador for Peace” award from the Universal Peace Foundation.
A true cultural ambassador of peace and harmony, Purnima has emerged as one of the most respected Indians in the USA.
