In his off time he is part of the Dakshina Dance Company, a budding dance company, based in Washington, DC, offering concerts that present Indian dance forms. Part of Singh's earnings go to the dance company. Singh, actually runs this four-year-old company and is immersed in choregraphy too.

Dakshina has also hosted artists like Odissi and Bharata Natyam dancer Malavika Sarukkai to mark the 60th anniversary of India's independence. And Kuchipudi and Bharata Natyam dancer Mallika Sarabhai, who runs the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad and is known for her strong political stand against Hindu fundamentalism in Gujarat was also a guest.

Asia Society (a high-profile organisation that encourages understanding and a partnership between Asian people and institutions and the United States) recently hosted an event involving Dakshina and other art groups in Washington, DC. A seminar titled The Role of Indian Art and Culture in a Global Age discussed among other things, how Indian artists in America and India are able to connect and create a progressive community dealing with social issues.

"We are focused on combining the arts with social justice issues," Singh says. "We do it by incorporating the themes into our work and via partnerships with local community centres and schools."

Fighting against gay and lesbian prejudice is one such cause. Getting Sarabhai to articulate her sadness and anger at the communal riots in Gujarat is another.

Two years ago, Dakshina was one of 117 companies across America to receive an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (a US government-funded as well as donation aided programme that provides assistance and funds for projects that display artistic excellence).
Also read: The art of Ustad Deboo

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