Swati Bhisé

Swati Bhisé is a renowned Bharatanatyam artist, filmmaker, and advocate for Indian arts and women’s empowerment. As director, writer, and producer of The Warrior Queen of Jhansi (2019), she highlighted the story of the Rani of Jhansi, earning the Film of Impact Award and ReFrame Stamp for gender parity. Inspired by the film, she founded The Warrior Queen Project, a nonprofit empowering young woman. 

Swati has performed worldwide, founded the Sadir Theater Festival and Sanskriti Centre, and introduced Indian classical arts to U.S. audiences for over four decades. She pioneered Carnatic-Jazz fusion, performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newport Jazz Festival. 

A 2023 Asian Arts Game Changer & Visionary Award recipient, Swati collaborates on UN initiatives supporting women’s digital safety and continues her advocacy through education and the arts. She remains an artist-in-residence at Lincoln Center Institute and Symphony Space.