South Asian Canadian women dancers

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified woman performing Odissi at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall in Vancouver, B.C.

Odissi is a classical Indian dance style which originates from the eastern state of Odisha, India. It is one of eight classical dance forms in India. Since the 12th century, odissi has been danced by maharis (people devoted to the dance) in temples. Odissi expresses traditional poetry and songs through movements. Many of the poems performed through Odissi come from the Sanskrit collection of romantic poetry, Gita Govinda, written by Jayadeva Goswami.

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.

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 and drama performance at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 and drama performance at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 girl performing at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 and drama performance at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 and drama performance at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 and drama performance at a cultural event held by the South Asian Family Association at Fraserview Hall 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.

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 Kathak performance at a Holi celebration hosted at the Shree Mahalakshmi Temple in Vancouver, B.C.

Holi, often called the "festival of colors," is a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration that marks spring's arrival and the triumph of good over evil. This festival, mainly observed in South Asia but also recognized globally, typically spans two days and is rooted in ancient traditions, mythology and community gatherings. Its date changes, as it is based on the full moon in the month of Phalguna, part of the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in late February or March. Holi, dating back to the 4th century, stands alongside Diwali, the festival of lights, as one of the most prominent Hindu celebrations and is famous for the playful tossing of colored powders and water.

Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Derived from the Sanskrit word kathakar, meaning "storyteller," it refers to the nomadic performers who narrated the tales of Mahabharata and the Ramayana through dance, music, and gestures. It is characterized by its extensive footwork, precise hand and body movements, flexibility, and facial expressions, which all comes together to tell a story.

Established in 1990, by Pandit Pramera Chaitanya, Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. They offer various services, including workship, chanting, meditations, and ritualistic celebrations of all the Hindu festivals.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a Kathak performance at a Holi celebration hosted at the Shree Mahalakshmi Temple in Vancouver, B.C.

Holi, often called the "festival of colors," is a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration that marks spring's arrival and the triumph of good over evil. This festival, mainly observed in South Asia but also recognized globally, typically spans two days and is rooted in ancient traditions, mythology and community gatherings. Its date changes, as it is based on the full moon in the month of Phalguna, part of the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in late February or March. Holi, dating back to the 4th century, stands alongside Diwali, the festival of lights, as one of the most prominent Hindu celebrations and is famous for the playful tossing of colored powders and water.

Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Derived from the Sanskrit word kathakar, meaning "storyteller," it refers to the nomadic performers who narrated the tales of Mahabharata and the Ramayana through dance, music, and gestures. It is characterized by its extensive footwork, precise hand and body movements, flexibility, and facial expressions, which all comes together to tell a story.

Established in 1990, by Pandit Pramera Chaitanya, Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. They offer various services, including workship, chanting, meditations, and ritualistic celebrations of all the Hindu festivals.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of a Kathak performance at a Holi celebration hosted at the Shree Mahalakshmi Temple in Vancouver, B.C.

Holi, often called the "festival of colors," is a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration that marks spring's arrival and the triumph of good over evil. This festival, mainly observed in South Asia but also recognized globally, typically spans two days and is rooted in ancient traditions, mythology and community gatherings. Its date changes, as it is based on the full moon in the month of Phalguna, part of the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in late February or March. Holi, dating back to the 4th century, stands alongside Diwali, the festival of lights, as one of the most prominent Hindu celebrations and is famous for the playful tossing of colored powders and water.

Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Derived from the Sanskrit word kathakar, meaning "storyteller," it refers to the nomadic performers who narrated the tales of Mahabharata and the Ramayana through dance, music, and gestures. It is characterized by its extensive footwork, precise hand and body movements, flexibility, and facial expressions, which all comes together to tell a story.

Established in 1990, by Pandit Pramera Chaitanya, Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. They offer various services, including workship, chanting, meditations, and ritualistic celebrations of all the Hindu festivals.