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Sakthi

Sakthi means power. In Hindu tradition, the word signifies the creative, dynamic energy that creates the universe. This is a perfect name for the Sakthi Cultural Centre, because the vision of the centre could be said to be a dream of “re-creating” the universe in which the Dalit people live. The parallel does not end there. This effort to re-create the universe is accomplished through creativity, through the creative use of traditional Indian Folk Art. Also the Sakthi power is seen as a feminine power, which is a perfect alignment, since the Sakthi Centre works to educate, illuminate, and empower young women.  The Sakthi Cultural Centre is dedicated to preserving the very best of traditional Indian culture, even while resisting the elements of the culture that represent injustice and oppression.

A quotation from the online dictionary is included below.

Shakti (shŭk`tē) [Skt.,=power], in Hinduism, name given to the female consorts of male deities. The Shakti personifies the dynamic, manifesting energy that creates the universe, while the male god represents the static, unmanifest aspect of the divine reality. The concept is related to that of prakriti in Samkhya metaphysics (see Hindu philosophy  and of maya  in Vedanta  philosophy. The idea of Shakti is prominent in Tantra  where the Kundalini energy (see yoga  ) is regarded as a goddess, and the theme of male-female polarity is developed. The term Shakti is often used to refer to the spiritual partner or consort of a spiritual master, a relationship often without the emotional and sexual components of ordinary marriage.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia® Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/

shakti

or saktiIn Hinduism, the “creative energy” inherent in and proceeding from God. It is exemplified by the female principle, the female reproductive organs, or the goddess Shakti, wife of Shiva. As energy, shakti is viewed as the merging of powers emanating from male gods, and it is possessed by each person. In Tantric Hinduism, the goddess Shakti is associated with the lowest of the chakras, lying dormant within the body as a coiled serpent (Kundalini) that must be aroused to reach spiritual liberation by uniting with Shiva at the top of the head. See also Shaktism.

For more information on shakti, visit Britannica.com. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Copyright © 1994-2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

 

By integrating this powerful Hindu word from traditional Hindu culture, the ICM sisters have communicated volumes about the focus and vision of the Sakthi Cultural Center. This is one of many examples of the creativity and finesse Sr. Chandra and her Sisters have demonstrated as they worked to bring the Sakthi Centre into the mainstream of modern Indian culture. The leadership team at the centre is dedicated, and they are gifted for this mission. Please join a winning team by signing up to be a member of the Sakthi Center Supportive Family, using the opt-in box in the right hand side bar. Once you sign in, you will receive periodic updates about the progress of the centre, as well as stories of the successes of the young women.

To watch a short video showing the dances and plays, click HERE.



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