The Company Mandate
Manohar Performing Arts of Canada is a Canadian dance theatre company, by dancers and for dancers. Most of us, including first generation Canadians, have had our dance training primarily in Canada; we choose to employ the language and vocabulary of classical Indian dance, to present a synthesis of traditional and contemporary choreography. We are neither traditionalist/heritage nor modern/western; as artists of colour, we use our own dance vocabulary to speak in an accessible, authentic Canadian voice. These themes and stories are a shared birthright for the world we live in.
Our Mission
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To present, create and perform dance theatre using Indian classical dance forms.
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To apply the power of the spoken word, the magic of myth, and the beauty of classical movement to tell stories that capture the imagination of our audiences.
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To create a space for these universal stories and experiences within the Canadian cultural mosaic, and to empower the voices of culturally diverse and racialized artists to reflect the realities of our lives and strive for social justice.
Our Vision
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To position our collective, within Canada and beyond, as a home for unique choreography, intriguing narratives, and high-quality production values.
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To act as a resource on aspects of South Asian dance and culture.
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To foster a safe and creative space for dance collaboration, centering lifelong learning principles in a structured yet open environment
(in person and online).
A Unique Voice
Manohar explores the intersections of South Asian and Canadian cultures through classical dance and drama. Our emphasis is on individual and collective ability, both in the technical and expressive aspects of dance as well as in the process of choreography. Manohar repositions classical Bharatanatyam and Kathak from a distant context of culture and diaspora to one of metaphorical communication through music, story and movement.
We are unique in our use of the spoken word (including literature and poetry in English, French, Sanskrit, Urdu and other languages) as a structural element of dance. We have developed unique and longstanding collaborations for original music in Hindustani and Carnatic styles, with master musicians in India (Sudhir Narain in Agra, BV Balasai in Chennai).