Dance

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 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 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 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.

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 a dance performance by an unidentified woman at the Sawan Mela, a cultural show, organized by the South Asian Family Association (SAFA) and held at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre in Vancouver, B.C.

The South Asian Family Association (SAFA) is a non-profit organization that aims to highlight the South Asian community and culture. SAFA was formed in 2002 with goals to promote positive images of the South Asian community, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and empower families to maintain their heritage while embracing Canadian culture. Some of the ways they accomplish these goals are through organizing Indian festivals, including their annual summer India Live festival and Diwali functions, providing annual scholarships for high school students, holding International Women's Day forums, running youth summer camps and organizing health fairs for the South Asian community.

Operated by the Vancouver Park Board and the Sunset Community Association, the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre provides a place for intercultural connections, a gathering place for the community, and an opportunity for all to experience the arts in programs, events, and performances.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a dance performance by an unidentified woman at the Sawan Mela, a cultural show, organized by the South Asian Family Association (SAFA) and held at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre in Vancouver, B.C.

The South Asian Family Association (SAFA) is a non-profit organization that aims to highlight the South Asian community and culture. SAFA was formed in 2002 with goals to promote positive images of the South Asian community, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and empower families to maintain their heritage while embracing Canadian culture. Some of the ways they accomplish these goals are through organizing Indian festivals, including their annual summer India Live festival and Diwali functions, providing annual scholarships for high school students, holding International Women's Day forums, running youth summer camps and organizing health fairs for the South Asian community.

Operated by the Vancouver Park Board and the Sunset Community Association, the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre provides a place for intercultural connections, a gathering place for the community, and an opportunity for all to experience the arts in programs, events, and performances.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a dance performance at a party hosted by The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple at the Fraserview Hall in Vancouver, B.C.

The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, established in 1982, serves as a gathering place for the local community in Burnaby, British Columbia. Among other social, educational, and recreational activities, the organization also operates a community centre and offers a place of worship in accordance with the teachings of Guru Ravidass, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and other gurus and saints whose teachings are enshrined in the holy book, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

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 a dance performance at a party hosted by The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple at the Fraserview Hall in Vancouver, B.C.

The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, established in 1982, serves as a gathering place for the local community in Burnaby, British Columbia. Among other social, educational, and recreational activities, the organization also operates a community centre and offers a place of worship in accordance with the teachings of Guru Ravidass, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and other gurus and saints whose teachings are enshrined in the holy book, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

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.