Nritya Kala Mandir celebrates 11th anniversary of student accomplishments

October 6th & 7th, 2012, City Play House Theatre, Vaughan

“I still remember how much effort my parents put in while helping me learn ethnic dance and understand our culture, and I really appreciate that as learning dance contributed in being active and in personality development.” recollected Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan, Member of Parliament from Scarborough-Rouge River, while addressing the audience at Nrityotsava 2012 on Saturday, 6^th October.

Ms. D. Charandasi, Consul (Inf & OCI) & Head of Chancery from the office of Consulate General of India, congratulated Nritya Kala Mandir for mentoring younger generations in ethnic dance forms, considering this a bridge to bring the two countries, India and Canada closer, through culture.

In order to celebrate student accomplishments, Nritya Kala Mandir, has been organizing an annual event, Nrityotsava [from Sanskrit, literally translates Festival of Dance]. This year, Nrityotsava: 2012, a 2 day celebration with 4 performances was celebrated on October 6th& 7th, at City Play House Theatre, 1000 New Westminster Drive, Vaughan, ON L4J 8G3. Over 145 students showcased their dance talent during Nrityotsava 2012.

The audience was mesmerized by the splendid feat by all the performers. The highlights of the festival were several dance ballets presented on mythological themes, 1. Ganesha Vandna, 2. Sri Satyanarayan Katha, 3. Meerabai, 4. Hanuman stuti, 5. Karna-Kunti Samwad from Mahabharata, 6. Nava Durga and 7. Krishna, was performed as a tribute to late gazal singer Jagjeet singh based on songs in his voice.

Students also presented folk dances and some experimental items from the emerging dance culture of Bollywood.

The evening performances on both days, "Serenade to the Seniors", were presented by Nritya Kala Mandir to honour the seniors in the community.

Dignitaries and Community leaders who graced the occasion and inspired the participants included leading industrialist, Mr. & Mrs. Ramesh Chotai, Savitaben Patel, President of Sanatan Mandir Seniors’ Group and Dr. Shivani Sharma from Markham amongst others.

Since 2006, the annual event Nrityotsava [from Sanskrit, literally translates Festival of Dance], is organized in presence of community, to celebrate student accomplishments. This year, Nrityotsava 2012, a 2 day event with 4 performances, was attended by more than 1200 members from the community.

Nritya Kala Mandir [from Sanskrit, literally translates Temple of Dance], an upcoming classical dance academy established by Kanan Bhatt, in 2001 strives to mentor youth into performing arts and thus practicing active & healthy living and understanding ethnic culture, through dance.

During these 11 years, the students of Nritya Kala Mandir have showcased their talents at enumerable occasions in august presence of celebrities and dignitaries in and around GTA. You may find more information about their activities and organization at www.NrityaKalaMandir.ca.

Photo Credits: Mr. Darshit Majumdar, Patrick Jube and Varun Panchal as titled on each picture.

StarBuzz, Toronto-