Menaka Thakkar

🪔 About

Menaka Thakkar (March 3, 1942 – February 5, 2022) was an internationally renowned Indo-Canadian dancer, choreographer, and teacher who profoundly influenced the development and appreciation of Indian classical dance in Canada. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, she began her dance training as a child, mastering three distinct classical Indian dance styles: Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kuchipudi. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in visual arts in 1963, after which she commenced her performing career. Thakkar immigrated to Canada in 1973, settling in Toronto after a successful tour in 1972. She quickly established herself as a leading figure, founding Nrtyakala: The Canadian Academy of Indian Dance in Toronto in 1974, the first school of its kind in Canada. Through Nrtyakala, she trained thousands of students across Canada, fostering a new generation of Indian dancers and instilling in them a love for the art form. In 1984, she established the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company (MTDC), which became Canada's premier Indian dance company, touring extensively across Canada, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Known for her innovative and often feminist choreography, Thakkar drew critical attention for her unique interpretations of traditional forms and her collaborative works blending Indian classical and Western dance styles. She was an adjunct professor of dance at York University, where students could earn credit for courses at her academy, and she also taught at the National Ballet School. Her significant contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Letters from York University in 1993, the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts in 2012, and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2013. Thakkar passed away in Toronto on February 5, 2022. Awards & Honours: Honorary Doctor of Letters (1993), President's Award (1998), City of Toronto Face the Arts Cultural Maverick Award for Dance (2006), Toronto Arts Award for Performing Arts, India Abroad magazine's "Power List" (2008), "Excellence in Multiculturalism Celebration" Award for Arts and Education (2008), Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts (2012), Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance) (2013), Induction into Dance Hall of Fame (2019), Tri-National Creative Residency Award.