Rina Singha

🪔 About

Rina Singha was an Indian-born Canadian Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator, recognized for her pivotal role in establishing classical Kathak dance in Canada. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, in 1937, Singha's journey into Kathak began after she won a government scholarship in 1957, leading her to train under the legendary Pandit Shambhu Maharaj at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi. Her rigorous training emphasized the Lucknow gharana's graceful and emotive style, focusing on lyrical beauty and the portrayal of women's experiences. In 1960, Singha moved to London, where she performed as a soloist and toured Europe with Ram Gopal's acclaimed company. She immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1965, dedicating her career to performing, choreographing, and teaching Kathak. Singha was instrumental in elevating Kathak within the Canadian arts landscape, challenging the exoticization of non-Western dance forms. She founded the Kathak Institute of Toronto in 1982 and the Rina Singha Kathak Dance Organization (RSKDO) in 1992 to preserve and promote the art form through systematic training and public performances. Her choreographic works blended traditional Kathak with experimental elements, often exploring women's experiences, social issues, and notably, Christian themes in works like *Yeshu Katha* and *The Seekers*. Singha also contributed significantly to dance education, teaching at York University from 1971 to 1976 and developing multicultural arts programs, including initiatives for deaf children. She served in advisory capacities for the Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council, and Ontario Arts Council, and in 2008, she initiated Kathak Mahotsav Canada. Rina Singha passed away in Toronto on September 1, 2025. Awards & Honours: Hindu Federation of Canada Award for Dance (1989), Dance Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award (1991), DuMaurier Arts Award (1994), William Kilbourn Award from the Toronto Arts Council Foundation (2000), Galilean International Juried Award for Excellence in Performing Arts (2006), Grant Community Achievers award (2008), Canada Council Arts A Award for Choreography, Inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame (2018).