Jasmine Sawant, the co-founder of SAWITRI – a woman centered South Asian theatre organization in Mississauga, has a lengthy and varied background in theatre and film. SAWITRI performs each year at the Masala Mehndi Masti festival in Toronto which is the largest South Asian Arts festival in North America . SAWITRI also collaborates with womens’ groups and other organizations to focus on issues of social and cultural relevance through the arts. Jasmine started her theatre work in Indiawith actors like Paresh Rawal, Sameer Khakhar, Shafi Inamdar and Swaroop Sampat, but took several years off for marriage and motherhood. While in Mumbai Jasmine wrote, directed and acted in plays in French and German. She continued to work in theatre in Saudi Arabia, where she also wrote and directed several plays for children.
Jasmine Sawant is the General Manager of Lata Pada’s Sampradaya Dance Creations, a dynamic Canadian dance company, nationally and internationally acclaimed for showcasing bharatanatyam and exploring contemporary themes and innovative dance styles. Before moving to the non-profit sector, Jasmine worked in the automobile leasing industry for five years where she was respJonsible for major corporate accounts. Prior to settling down in Mississauga , Jasmine lived in Saudi Arabia where she worked as a teacher, and in Bahrainwhere she was at the French Embassy. In Mumbai she worked at the Max Mueller Bhavan (Goethe Institute) before leaving India for the Middle East .
Jasmine holds an Accounting Degree from the University of Bombay, a diploma in Journalism and French and a certificate in German. She has been actively involved in Scouts Canada-Central Escarpment region, Peel Health’s Community Food Advisor Program and the South Asian community, through her volunteering and co-ordination of cultural events. Jasmine also contributes to various South Asian media.
In her personal like, Jasmine is the wife of Nitin Sawant, who is an excellent photographer and videographer and works under the business name of Studio AV. She is the mother of two teenage sons, one who is a pilot and a drummer and the other who currently holds the title of volleyball national champions. Jasmine is widely traveled, has a deep passion for the arts and is able to draw on her varied talents to contribute to the ongoing enrichment of the South Asian performing arts in Canada.
