ICMSV - Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver

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ICMSV - Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver

Since 2009, ICMSV has acted as an online portal promoting and organizing Indian Classical Music & Dance programming.

Founded in 2009 and incorporated in 2017, ICMSV aims to provide a healthy ecosystem for Indian classical music and dance in Vancouver’s arts and culture sector. On December 6th, ICMSV was incorporated as a not-for-profit under the BC Societies Act.

08/10/2026

Our second recital features Vancouver Kathak artist Palak Dhiman in a kathak recital performed with live Hindustani music. Palak Dhiman (she/her) is an independent dance artist based in Vancouver Lower Mainland.

As an independent Kathak artist, choreographer, and educator whose practice approaches the form as a living tradition. Palak presents work rooted in strong traditional foundations while exploring new possibilities through her evolving artistic voice. Trained in kathak since 1993, and Natya Shastra Karanara since 2023, Palak has collaborated with leading companies including Manohar Performing Arts (Winnipeg), and Usha Dance Ensemble (Edmonton), which toured nationally in 2022.

The evening presents the exploration of a single raga through three compositions representing the Dhrupad and Khayal traditions of Hindustani vocal music. The raga’s journey is shaped through melodic development and rhythmic interplay, with tabla and Kathak compositions woven throughout the presentation. Together, dance, melody, and rhythm converge in continuous artistic experience.

Palak is joined by Sunny Matharu (Tabla), Akhil Jobanputra (Vocals), and Pavittar Singh Namdhari (Dilruba).

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

08/06/2026

🎫 Tickets: https://bit.ly/icmsv-palak-salon-all-artist-fb

Meet the full ensemble for Concert Two of the Salon Series.

Sāmrasya is a state of harmonious integration: melody, rhythm, movement, and expression sharing one essence. On September 10, Vancouver Kathak artist Palak Dhiman brings it to life at the Studio Theatre with Akhil Jobanputra (Vocals), Sunny Matharu (Tabla), and Pavittar Singh Namdhari (Esraj): a single raga explored through three compositions from the Dhrupad and Khayal traditions, with dance and music responding to each other in the moment.

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Limited seats | Tickets $21

*On stage:*
Palak Dhiman, Kathak
Akhil Jobanputra, vocals
Sunny Matharu, tabla
Pavittar Singh Namdhari, esraj

This program is presented by the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver, and is funded in part by the BC Live Performance Network's Community Presenters Assistance Grant & Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

07/31/2026

Tickets: https://bit.ly/4pLUQrM

The Salon Series continues.

Concert Two brings Vancouver Kathak artist Palak Dhiman to the Studio Theatre with Samrasya, a Kathak recital performed with live Hindustani music: one raga, explored through three compositions, with dance, melody, and rhythm in constant dialogue.

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Doors 6:45 pm | Performance 7:30 pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

On stage: Palak Dhiman (Kathak), Sunny Matharu (Tabla), Akhil Jobanputra (Vocals), Pavittar Singh Namdhari (Esraj).

The Studio Theatre is an intimate room and seating is limited. Individual tickets $21.

Presented with support from the BC Live Performance Network's Community Presenters Assistance Grant and Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

07/23/2026

We kicked off our Salon Series on 9 July, with Sujit Vaidya’s Bharatanatyam performance, titled ‘Shades of Sringara’.

This Bharatanatyam margam, titled ‘Shades of Sringara', was comprised of an alairippu, varnam, ashtapadi and a thillana. The performance took the audience through the many colours of divine love — adeptly exploring themes of longing, desire, devotion and surrender.

We were able to enjoy the beautiful chemistry between Sujit and a live Carnatic ensemble, featuring Sheema Balakrishnan, Shriram Rajagopalan, Curtis Andrews, Arno Kamolika and Ishwarya Chaitanya and it is a testament to the community that’s been built amongst artists here. It’s a privilege to have live musicians accompanying dance artists.

We are truly grateful to those who attended, volunteered, performed, organized and helped behind the scenes.

This program was presented by the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver, with generous funding from BC Live Performance Network's Community Presenters Assistance Grant & Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

We are eagerly looking forward to continuing our Salon Series in September, with Palak Dhiman! More details to follow shortly!

We hope to see you all there! 😊

Photo credits: Vipul Prasad | Vancouver Photographer

07/10/2026

The ICMSV Salon Series is here.

We open our new Salon Series with an intimate evening of Bharatanatyam by Sujit Vaidya, accompanied by a live ensemble.

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Doors 6:45 pm | Performance 7:30 to 8:45 pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

On stage: Sujit Vaidya (Bharatanatyam), Curtis Andrews (mridangam), Arno Komolika (nattuvangam), Sheema Balakrishnan (vocals), Shriram Rajagopalan (violin).

Seating is limited. Tickets on sale now: https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=4650

07/09/2026

Click here to buy tickets: https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=4650

TONIGHT! The Salon Series opens with Sujit Vaidya.

Vancouver Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya performs a full margam to live Carnatic music, with Curtis Andrews (mridangam), Arno Kamolika (nattuvangam), Sheema Balakrishnan (vocals), and Shriram Rajagopalan (violin).

Doors 6:45pm | Program 7:30pm to 8:45pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

Seats are limited. Tickets $21 at the link above, or call the Shadbolt Box Office at 604.205.3000.

Easiest parking: the Shadbolt underground lot, then the elevator up to the Studio Theatre.

Presented by the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver. Funded in part by the BC Live Performance Network's Community Presenters Assistance Grant and the Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

07/08/2026

🎟 Tickets: https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=4650

In his own words: Sujit Vaidya on Shades of Śṛṅgāra

Two days before he opens our Salon Series, Vancouver Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya speaks about the full margam he brings to the Studio Theatre this Thursday: from the alarippu invocation through the emotional arc of the varnam to a thillana that builds to a final rhythmic crescendo, exploring shringara, desire in its many shades of longing, devotion, and surrender. Choreography by A. Lakshman.

Performed to live Carnatic music with Curtis Andrews (mridangam), Arno Kamolika (nattuvangam), Sheema Balakrishnan (vocals), and Shriram Rajagopalan (violin).

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Doors 6:45pm, program 7:30pm to 8:45pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

The Studio Theatre is an intimate space and seating is limited. Individual tickets $21.00; questions: Shadbolt Box Office 604.205.3000.

Presented by the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver. Funded in part by the BC Live Performance Network's Community Presenters Assistance Grant and the Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

07/07/2026

Buy Tickets: https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=4650

Introducing Dr. Sheema Balakrishnan and Shriram Rajagopalan!

Carnatic violinist and vocalist Shriram Rajagopalan brings the violin to the Salon Series on July 9, accompanying Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya through a full margam performed to live Carnatic music. Trained by the revered Mani Bhagavathar in vocal music and Guru Nellai Ravindran on violin, he refined his craft under the legendary Padma Bhushan MS Gopalakrishnan and Kalaimamani Dr. Narmadha, embracing the Parur Baani style known for its rigor, clarity, and precise melodic expression

Carnatic vocalist Dr. Sheema Balakrishnan lends her voice to the Salon Series on July 9, accompanying Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya through a full margam performed to live Carnatic music; the two have collaborated on several projects since her move from Chennai to New Westminster. She holds a Ph.D. in Indian Music from Queen Mary's College, University of Madras, trained under Shri T.G. Badrinarayanan and Vidushi Kanchan Rajesh, and has performed at prestigious festivals including Chembai Sangeetholsavam and the Navrathri Utsavams

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Doors 6:45pm, program 7:30pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

Funded in part by BC Live Performance Network and Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

Join us as we create a platform and event to showcase the traditional and classical Indian arts

07/06/2026

Introducing Dr. Curtis Andrews and Arno Kamolika!

Dancer, choreographer, nattuvanar, and teacher Arno Kamolika leads the nattuvangam for the Salon Series on July 9, guiding the rhythm of Sujit Vaidya's full margam performed to live Carnatic music

Rooted in Bharatanatyam and inspired by the mystic rhythms of her Bengali heritage, she trained under masters including Prof. C V Chandrasekhar, Jai Govinda, Bragha Bessel, and Sharmila Banerjee, and has performed at festivals across the USA, Germany, India, and Bangladesh

Vancouver musician and ethnomusicologist Dr. Curtis Andrews brings the mridangam to the Salon Series on July 9, accompanying Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya through a full margam performed to live Carnatic music

A disciple of the legendary vidwan Sangita Kalanidhi Sri Trichy Sankaran since age 23, he holds a doctorate in Ethnomusicology from UBC and has extensive experience accompanying Bharatanatyam, collaborating with Vancouver dancers and visiting international artists alike

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Doors 6:45pm, program 7:30pm
Studio Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby

Tickets: https://www.icmsv.org/salon-sujit-vaidya.html #

Funded in part by BC Live Performance Network and Vancouver Foundation's LEVEL BIPOC Grant.

Join us as we create a platform and event to showcase the traditional and classical Indian arts

Address

1515 Anderson Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H3R5

Website

http://www.icmsv.org/

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