Dance

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a young girl holding a performance structure while representing Thillai Kalalayam Dance Academy at an event.

Established in 1995 in British Columbia, Thillai Kalalayam Dance Academy was founded by the artistic director, Vaani Gobynanth. The Academy has performed at various events and venues, showing off a variety of South Asian classical dances.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing a classical dance while representing Thillai Kalalayam Dance Academy at an event.

Established in 1995 in British Columbia, Thillai Kalalayam Dance Academy was founded by the artistic director, Vaani Gobynanth. The Academy has performed at various events and venues, showing off a variety of South Asian classical dances.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing at a dinner and dance event to celebrate 30 years of the India Mahila Association, held at the Fraserview Hall in Vancouver, B.C.

The India Mahila Association (IMA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization established in 1973 to support and empower women of South Asian descent in Canada. Open to women of all backgrounds, IMA focuses on advocacy, education, and community engagement while addressing issues such as gender equality, violence, and discrimination. The organization operates without external funding and has created an endowment fund with the Vancouver Foundation to sustain its mission. For over 50 years, IMA has provided support, resources, and a platform for women to connect and uplift one another.

Located on Fraser Street, Fraserview Hall has been a staple venue for various South Asian Canadian community events in Vancouver, B.C. over the past two decades.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing Bharatanatyam at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing Bharatanatyam at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified man speaking at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of two unidentified dancers performing Bharatanatyam at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing Bharatanatyam at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam. She is seen adorning peacock features.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a dance performance at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified dancer performing Bharatanatyam at an event organized by the Theena Veena Kalashashthiram School of Bharata Natyam.

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style of India, is indigenous to the Tamil Nadu region and prevalent in southern India. Bharatanatyam serves the expression of Hindu religious themes and devotions. Bharatanatyam was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage for public performance until about 1930. A vital tradition of Bharatanatyam is a graduation performance, called Arangetram, in which graduates showcase their talents.