A multitalented personality, Purnima Desai is the founder of Shikshayatan Cultural Center and Sriniketan Foundation based in New York.
- By Bidisha Roy
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, instrumental in encouraging and supporting Indian culture through music and art, 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 a Gujarati Brahmin family 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.
Calcutta, her love
“Calcutta played a major role in my life. I started my cultural journey from there. At Shikshayatan, I learnt Bharatanatyam, Manipuri and Kathak. I wanted to sing also but could not afford a harmonium. Instead, my parents got me a Hawaiian guitar. I learned many Bengali songs.”
After she graduated with honors in Education, her family moved to Delhi in 1968 because of the Naxalite movement. While doing her MBA there, she continued with her cultural activities, choreographed dance dramas, and became a popular face on the campus.
In 1972 she got married to Ashok C. Desai, a pharmacist by profession. For a while she worked with Sahu Jain’s Jaipur Udyog Limited as a management trainee. After a year in Bombay, she moved with her family to New York in 1973.
Raising family in New York
In New York, Purnima worked briefly for two top banks – CITI and Chase before taking a break to bring up her three daughters: Kaveeta, Komal and Tejal. Then, she opted for the real estate business so she could work from home.
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, which means house of learning. She named it after her alma mater in Calcutta. Such an organization 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, public libraries and schools. Shikshayatan has a faculty of highly educated, multitalented and professional artists. Pandit Kamal Mishra has been a great asset to the organization since 1989 and has proved his multiple talents through teaching and as a performing artist.
“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 Indian classical dances.
Service through Sriniketan Foundation
In 2015, Purnima started 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 so that they don’t feel lonely.”
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 and creative outlets. “My heartfelt purpose is keeping people healthy physically and spiritually and to help the less fortunate people,” says Purnima.
She attributes many of her qualities to her close association with her grandfather, L.K. Desai, and grandmother, Mani Desai. “My grandfather was highly educated, and he worked with Sardar Patel.”
Money, name, or fame – she wants nothing, just wants to work selflessly. She elaborates, “I don’t want to ask for money for Sriniketan or Shikshayatan. They should earn on their merit. If I get some funds unasked from genuine people, then I am blessed. I have organized free musical programs for senior citizens.”
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 like Mata Amritanandamayi, Morari Bapu; dignitaries and diplomats including Hillary Clinton and Dr Karan Singh; and renowned artists such as Sonal Mansingh, Padmini Ramachandran, Archana Joglekar, Pt Ramesh Narayan; astrologers and healers like Swami Chakradhari and Shakuntala Devi.
Accomplished artiste and impresario
Purnima is an acknowledged vocalist who has many music albums to her credit. She has authored many books – 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, NY. As a program director of cultural events, Purnima has produced and directed more than a thousand cultural programs. She is also a painter and publisher-editor of Abhyudaya magazine in Hindi and English. She also completed her training in Reiki under Dr. N.K. Sharma and Dr. Savita Sharma of Reiki Healing Foundation, the world’s largest Reiki organization based in New Delhi. She is now Kriya Acharya Reiki Grand Master.
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 held by Brahmin Samaj of USA honored her.
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 NYC Council and in 2011 “Ambassador for Peace” award from Universal Peace Foundation. A true cultural ambassador of peace and harmony, Purnima has emerged as one of the most respected Indians in the USA.
