Mandala Arts and Culture

About

MANDALA ARTS AND CULTURE was founded by Jai Govinda in 1999. As artistic managing director, Jai Govinda has created a space for excellence in the Indian classical dance forms in Canada. The chore of Mandala’s activities is its bharata natyam teaching program, recognized for 18 years by the Canada Arts Training Funds of Heritage Canada for disseminating quality professional training in bharata natyam in British Columbia. Over the years, 46 students have graduated from our teaching program, and many are continuing a career in the performing arts, teaching, creating and performing. Aside from its teaching program, Mandala arts and culture has presented local, national and international Indian classical dance artists. For 8 years Mandala presented an annual abhinaya intensive by world renowned bharata natyam artist Smt. Bragha Bessell from Chennai. Mandala has helped and supported the growth of many young artists, and has also collaborated with many local and national artists on productions. In partnership with The Dance Centre, Mandala presented the first Indian classical dance festival, “Gait to the spirit”, for 5 consecutive years. Over the years of the pandemic, Mandala commissioned two new works by international bharata natyam artists: “Sannidhanam” by Rama Vaidyanathan and ensemble, and “Virodhabhasa” by Navia Natarajan. Mandala also presented a series of 4 bharata natyam performances on VIMEO by local dancers Kiruthika Rathanaswami, Malavika Santhosh, Shilpa Shankar and Grihalakshmi Soundarapandian. Mandala encourages and provides opportunities for local, national and international collaborations, partnership and exchanges. It is committed to introduce the dance style to various audiences through performances, workshops, lectures and demonstrations. Mandala Arts and Culture society is a registered charitable organization.