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❖ Guru Parampara ❖
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Menaka Thakkar (March 3, 1942 – February 5, 2022) was a highly influential figure in Indian classical dance, particularly in Canada, where she was credited with introducing and developing the art form. Born in Bombay, India, she began her Bharatanatyam training at the age of four. By her mid-twenties, she had mastered three classical Indian dance styles:…
Journey Timeline
1942
Born in Bombay, India — March 3
1963
Earned BA in visual arts and began performing career
1968
Received Singar Mani Award for Bharatanatyam
1970
Received Singar Mani Award for Odissi
1972
Canadian tour and immigrated to Canada
1974
Founded Nrtyakala: The Canadian Academy of Indian Dance
1978
Founded Menaka Thakkar Dance Company
1993
Received honorary Doctor of Letters degree — From York University
1997
Created "Duality" — A cross-cultural collaborative work
2000
Created "Land of Cards" — A collaborative work
2006
Received City of Toronto Face the Arts Cultural Maverick Award for Dance
2008
Included in India Abroad magazine's "Power List"
2012
Received Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts — From the Canada Council for the Arts
2013
Received Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance)
2019
Inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame
2022
Died in Toronto — February 5, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1968 · Singar Mani Award
- 1970 · Singar Mani Award
- Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination
- 1993 · Honorary Doctor of Letters degree — York University
- Tri-National Creative Residency Award — United States' National Endowment for the Arts / Canada-Mexico joint program
- 2006 · City of Toronto Face the Arts Cultural Maverick Award for Dance — City of Toronto
- Toronto Arts Award for Performing Arts
- President's Award — Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
- 2008 · India Abroad magazine's "Power List" — India Abroad magazine
- 2012 · Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts — Canada Council for the Arts
- 2013 · Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance)
- 2019 · Inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame — Dance Collection Danse
Media Coverage
- In Tribute: Menaka Thakkar
The Dance Current
- Menaka Thakkar
The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Menaka Thakkar Obit
Dance Collection Danse
Students
Testimonials
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