Josephine Nithya

🪔 About

Josephine Nithya Babou is a Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and the founder of Nruthiya Saagaram, the first Bharatanatyam dance school in Atlantic Canada. Born and raised in India, she began her journey in Bharatanatyam at the tender age of three, receiving her initial training from her mother, Kalaimamani Dr. Lourdes Shanthi, who holds a PhD in the art form. Nithya furthered her classical dance education by completing both a Diploma and a Master's degree in Bharatanatyam from Kalai Kaveri College of Fine Arts, affiliated with Bharathidasan University in India. Her formal debut performance, known as Arangetram, took place in 2004. Josephine Nithya commenced her teaching career in Bharatanatyam in 2003. Later, she relocated to Halifax, Canada, to pursue an MBA at the Sobey School of Business. Following her academic pursuits, she established her own dance institution, Nruthiya Saagaram, in 2013. The name "Nruthiya Saagaram" translates to "Ocean of Dance," and the academy offers lessons at the Halifax Hindu Temple. As a performer, Josephine Nithya has showcased her art at various cultural events. In 2014, she performed a traditional Hindu dance at Multifest in Halifax, accompanied by some of her students. Under her guidance, students of Nruthiya Saagaram have regularly performed at numerous events across Nova Scotia, including the Multicultural Festival of Halifax, Lunenburg, and Yarmouth, Spryfield Multicultural, India Fest, and the International Dance Week hosted by Dance Nova Scotia. Nithya's family background highlights a unique perspective on dance, with her grandfather advocating that dance transcends religious boundaries, a philosophy continued by her mother and herself, despite being raised Christian.