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CHHANDAM DANCE COMPANY

CHHANDAM DANCE COMPANY brings the exciting and exacting elements of kathak into the group setting. Collaboration with different musical styles, dance forms and contemporary themes are at the root of Chhandam's choreographic aesthetic. Choreographer and Artistic Director Joanna de Souza, is a thirty year disciple of Pt. Chitresh Das.
The vocabulary of kathak allows this dance form to move between tradition and innovation easily. The flow of movement and dramatic expression inherent to the form, enables the dance to reveal themes that are common and mythic, often at the same time. Dynamic use of technique, world music forms, costuming and the stage environment sets this South Asian dance company apart.


photo credit: Ian de Souza

COMPANY MEMBERS

JOANNA DE SOUZA
Joanna is the only Canadian born artist to achieve a Maters Degree in Kathak dance through the Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad, India. Her study of kathak which began in 1978, continues under Pt. Chitresh Das. Joanna is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, and is respected internationally as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Over the last 20 years, she has initiated many ground-breaking and award winning collaborations including FIREDANCE, her work with Flamenco artist Esmeralda Enrique, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, musician Ian de Souza and in 2009 was nominated with Anita Majumdar for a Dora Award - Best Choreography, for Anita's one woman play, The Misfit.

KIRAN PHULL
Kiran Phull has spent most of her life studying Kathak in Toronto with Joanna de Souza. As a long time member of the Chhandam Dance Company, Kiran has performed locally, nationally, and was part of Chhandam’s India, 2011 tour. She was recipient of both the 2010 Dance Award and Bursary, through York Region’s Celebration of the Arts, has appeared in numerous videos,  and recently danced the leading role in an independent film based out of Montreal.  Also an academic, Kiran has completed her MA in Political Science from the University of Windsor, and is planning on pursuing her PhD in the UK.

CHAD WALASEK
After an exchange program in India, and an eventful year working in Pakistan as part of a degree in International Development Studies, Chad began training in the Hindustani performing arts in 1999. A senior student of Joanna's, Chad has toured nationally and internationally with Chhandam Dance Company, and performed his first full-length solo performance in March 2008. A recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Chad is currently studying Urdu in Lucknow India, through the American Institute of Indian Studies program and continues his Masters Degree at York University, where he is researching the development of Muslim and Hindu facets of kathak, and the intersection between nationalist ideologies, individual will and the evolution of kathak in post-partition Pakistan.

Gallery
VIEW choreographies.
GALLERY of video files and photos.
Contains music files.

 


past events


NUIT BLANCE
Saturday October 1st
with special guest Ian de Souza


CHHANDAM DANCE COMPANY & TORONTO TABLA ENSEMBLE
City of Toronto IFFA pre-Awards Festival
Rogers Centre

voicesNOW with Toronto Tabla Ensemble
May 18, 19, 2011

KALANIDHI INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL
March 19, 2011


Toronto Tabla Ensemble and Chhandm Dance Company
Hare Krishna Temple, Saturday April 30

 

Chhandam Dance Company and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble thank Ontario Arts Council -National and International Touring Office
The Kala Academy, Goa
Furtado's Music and
MACE, Kolkata
for their support of our 2011 India performances and workshops







 

 

Summer 2010 Performances:
I.C.C.C. Awards Gala
Gerrard St. Festival of South Asia
Ratha Yatra - Centre Island
Malsala Mendhi Masti- CNE
Kathak Mahotsav Festival

HeartBeat
May 28-29, 2010
Toronto Tabla Ensemble
CHHANDAM Dance Company
LAVISH Dance Company
Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront


 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

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