A Special Visit from Broadway Ambassador Andrew Stevens Purdy at Shanti Bhavan
by Andrew Steven Purdy
When someone asks me to describe my time at Shanti Bhavan, I never quite know what to say. I usually respond with something like, “It was amazing!” or “The kids were wonderful!” or even, “It was both challenging and rewarding!” While all of those things are true, they somehow feel too vague—too small—for an experience that meant so much more.
So here I am, trying to put into words what I just said feels impossible to capture. Instead of crafting something polished and cohesive, I’m offering a handful of reflections—snapshots of the moments that shaped my time at Shanti Bhavan:
Being in Bangalore was WILD. It felt like we were on The Amazing Race—rushing around, hailing auto rickshaws, hunting down an ever-growing list of supplies for Arts Camp activities. Honestly, there was no better way to experience a new city!
I arrived with a detailed curriculum for what I planned to teach. I used... almost none of it. Instead, I learned to follow the kids’ lead—to discover how they best expressed themselves—and to support them in that process. It was a lesson in flexibility and trust.
Shanti Bhavan is one of the most collaborative communities I’ve ever encountered. Every student, staff member, volunteer, and administrator is deeply committed to making the school thrive. It’s a place where everyone gives more than what’s required—and it shows.
My stomach does not handle spicy food well. Like, even less than I thought. Let’s just say: I learned this the hard way.
The kids at SB are bursting with artistic energy. One of my favorite moments was S’mores Night, watching the students come together and dance—full-out, no marking. Their uninhibited joy and willingness to express themselves so freely felt rare—and like such a gift. In my experience with teenagers in the U.S., that kind of openness is something you don’t see often.
All this to say: I’m incredibly grateful for my time in India. The students of Shanti Bhavan reaffirmed everything I believe about the transformative power of arts education. I can’t wait to keep cheering them on as they grow into the extraordinary young adults they are becoming.
