SHAKTI DANCES is one of the first few independent contemporary dance companies in Malaysia. Since its formation in 1994, members of the company are actively promoting and developing dance appreciation at the National Arts Academy (Akademi Seni Kebangsaan) and other dance and performing arts organisations throughout Malaysia.

SHAKTI DANCES draws its inspiration from the Malay and Sanskrit concept of "sakti", the cosmic powers emerging from the feminine force propelling the male force into action. Through symbolic and expressive power of traditional movement and ritualistic images deconstructed in a contemporary discipline, SHAKTI DANCES aims to explore the complexity of life as its aesthetic philosophy. It believes in the power of "sakti" in dance that engages the spirit of the performers and audiences in sharing creative meanings of everyday experiences.

SHAKTI DANCES is also known for their site-specificity, wherein members of the company explore from direct contact with the natural environment and construct the dance in the actual space. These includes The Story of the Lotus Flower Dancing on Water (Pool-site, Concorde Hotel, K.L.), Beneath the Surface (Kapitan's Club), Kotak-Kotak (Garden-site, Wan Gallery), Pilgrimage: Akar (Pool-site, Concorde Hotel, Shah Alam), Pasang-Surut, Tunjang and Hijrah (Beach-Radisson Hotel, Tanjung Rhu).

SHAKTI DANCES has been actively performing as a company that strives to promote social conscience and awareness of human rights in events held by All Women's Action Society, Festival of Rights - Bar Council of Malaysia, The APA APA Artist Pro Activ Arts Festival, Asia Pacific Peoples Assembly - Human Rights and Women's Conference on APEC. In 1996, SHAKTI DANCES presented the production of ... Beyond Words, a charity event in aid of Women's Aid Organization (WAO).

Works by the members of the company have been performed at National and International Dance Festivals. These include: Kuala Lumpur Tari 94 and Tari 1996, 1994 Indonesia Dance Festival held in. Jakarta, 1997 Hong Kong International Dance Festival, 1998 Philippines International Dance Festival, Connecticut College International Dance Festival and Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Dance Festival in 1998.

SHAKTI DANCES most recent works have been in Playground (in collaboration with Marion D'Cruz and Dancers and The Five Arts Centre), Salam Benua - Tribute to Usman Awang (The Actors Studio Theatre), and Dances of the World, Family Fun Days, with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (Dewan Filharmonik Petronas)

SHAKTI DANCES as a new generation company, also aims to explore and re-interpret the multi-ethnic facets of Malaysian Culture and Art, hoping to forge a new vocabulary and identity in Malaysian contemporary dance; provide a platform for the meeting of local and international performers and choreographers to work together, encourage the creation of new works by young Malaysian choreographers and performers; promote and develop traditional training into creative explorations of contemporary dance in Malaysia and correct the prejudice and bias in traditional beliefs that contemporary dance and performance lead to moral and ethical decay of the Malaysian culture.

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