Vidya Kotamraju

🪔 About

Vidya Kotamraju is a Bharatanatyam dance artist, choreographer, and educator based in Vancouver, Canada, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Her initial training in Bharatanatyam began in Goa, India, under Sheila Jagadish Kumar, and she was an active performer in India, guided by her mother, Manju Rao. Since moving to Canada, she has continued her rigorous training under Jai Govinda, Artistic Director of Mandala Arts and Culture in Vancouver, starting in 2004, and also takes annual masterclasses with distinguished dancer Bragha Bessell in India. Kotamraju performed her Arangetram, a significant milestone in a Bharatanatyam dancer's journey, in 2007 at the Frederic Wood Theatre at the University of British Columbia. As a performer, Vidya Kotamraju has graced numerous stages as both a soloist and ensemble member. Her performances include the Vancouver International Dance Festival, Diwali in BC (Shyama), Echo Her Series, and the Thousand Faces Festival (Maktub: Ashes to Alchemy). She has also performed for civic and cultural events such as the Mayor at Vancouver City Hall, North Shore Women's Centre's Crimson Cabaret, The Dance Centre's Silk Route Festival, Wish150: A Long Way Home exhibit, Namaste Canada, PNE's Spirit of India Festival, and the Vancouver Cultural Olympiad. She has been an Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Centre and has performed with Mandala Arts and Culture in productions like "The Temptation of Buddha" and "The Monk and the Courtesan". Kotamraju is the founder of House of Indian Dance in Vancouver, a platform dedicated to teaching and developing culturally rooted movement practice with a mission to break barriers in Indian dance. The academy offers Bharatanatyam training for students of all levels. Her choreography is known for reimagining Bharatanatyam for contemporary audiences, blending classical rigor with global music, storytelling, and emotionally charged performance, often exploring themes of identity, migration, and resilience. Notable choreographic works include "Longing...", "Maktub: Ashes to Alchemy", and "Trei". She was recognized with the 2017 Shade of Hope "Best Bharata Natyam Classical Dancer" Award. Beyond her artistic practice, Vidya Kotamraju has served on the boards of New Works and Mandala Arts and Culture and maintains a career in the tech industry. Awards & Honours: Shade of Hope "Best Bharata Natyam Classical Dancer" Award (2017).