"Our mission is to connect multiple dance forms. We have been demonstrating for several years that dance is universally accessible. As I have said many times it is a system of communication that transcends boundaries, cultures and times, and it can be used as a vehicle for social change and community development."

But he rues the lack of support from his own community in the US. "What we do in our shows gives an opportunity for second-generation Indian Americans to learn a few things about their heritage," he says. "But it is difficult to get them to come to our shows. They would rather blow up $20 seeing a movie and at concession stands (in sporting events and elsewhere) than spend $15 to see a glorious art show."

Singh recalls that he would not have become an classical Indian dancer had Meena Telikicherla, a doctor who is also a dance teacher, had not taken him as her pupil.

"She was convinced I had a gift for classical dancing," he says. Telikicherla runs Nrityanjali, one of the better-known Indian dance schools on the East Coast in the US.

"She also told me not to hurry to give my arangetram (public debut). What was important, she said, was that I must truly learn to dance well."

"I can't recall when my interest in classical dance began," he reflects. "I believe that learning dance was my first language. I also believe till I really started learning dance I could not speak effectively."
Also read: The dancer who wanted to click

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