Member Feature:
Neha Sivaprasad boasts a 24 year track record in architecture and construction, specializing in architectural lighting design for the past 2 decades. She is the founder of Sol Light Studio, based in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, which focuses on using light as a medium to forge emotional connections between spaces and the people who use them. With a background in art, dance, and training as an architect, Neha’s approach blends artistic flair with scientific precision, making her work not only aesthetically captivating but also thoughtfully engineered and practical. Neha is also an active member of our WILD San Francisco chapter.
Take a look at what activity inspires and re-invigorates Neha“AFTER HOURS“…
I have 2 ‘after work’ passions- Dance and Art
I am a dancer, practicing Kathak, a North Indian classical dance rooted in ancient storytelling and rhythm. Kathak evolved from Kathakars (“storytellers”) who conveyed epic tales through dance, music, and rhythm. Central to this form is the intricate rhythmic interplay, accompanied by the tabla (drum instrument), whose complex patterns challenge the dancer to navigate precise compositions of beats. The dancer enhances this rhythm through movement and the resonant sound of anklet bells (ghungroos) worn around their ankles.
I began learning Kathak at 25, and 18 years later, it remains a vital part of my life. I’m proud to be part of the Lavanya Dance Company, led by Kathak artist Labonee Mohanta, and to trace my training back to the school of Pandit Chitresh Das, who brought Kathak to the U.S. in the 1970s.
For me, Kathak is not just a dance—it is a challenge that brings immense joy. It pushes my limits physically, mentally, and emotionally, demanding complete surrender and self-expression. Performing feels transcendent; it requires one to be fully present, yet paradoxically, to lose oneself entirely.
Alongside dance, I explore the world of art, working primarily with pen and paper. My creations span realistic, whimsical, and abstract styles, but they all share a common language: lines. Lines allow me to channel emotions—be it joy, pain, sorrow, or grief—into tangible forms. Art is both my space to create and my space to process, a medium through which I navigate and make sense of life’s complexities.
