Aṣṭa Alliance

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Aṣṭa Alliance The name of our organization stems from the Sanskrit word “Aṣṭa” (pronounced Ashta) - meaning the number “8”.

Aṣṭa Alliance aims to improve the quality of Vancouver's art community by providing a space for engagement with the rich classical performing arts traditions of India. This number is significant for our organization because it symbolizes the eight Indian Classical dance forms that have originated from various parts of the Indian sub-continent, namely Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Sattriya. These dance forms are rooted in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. Even though these dance traditions are the foundation of all modern styles of Indian dance, they are often overshadowed by the convenient accessibility and commercial nature of modern dance styles. In 2017, Aṣṭa Alliance was founded by 5 University of British Columbia students, driven by their shared interest for dance. Now, as a registered not-for-profit organization, we serve as both a platform to bring awareness to the Indian Classical Dance traditions in Greater Vancouver through sustained community engagement, as well as provide local dancers an opportunity to share their rigorously cultivated dance training. Organising several events through the year, including an annual show that incorporates both the intellectual and performance aspects of Indian classical dance traditions, Aṣṭa Alliance is a sophisticated and unique channel that aims to bridge the gap in Vancouver to acclimate the community to the rich artistic traditions of India.

09/22/2026

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS 🇨🇦 | BHARATANATYAM IN CANADA

What stories, objects, and memories shape the history of Bharatanatyam in Canada?

Nova Dance is developing an exhibition, with a national partner, exploring the history and evolution of Bharatanatyam in Canada through the stories, objects, memories, and lived experiences of the artists, teachers, students, institutions, and communities who have shaped its presence across the country.

As we begin building this living archive, we invite the Bharatanatyam community across Canada to share:

🔔 Salangai / ghungroo with personal or historical significance
📰 Arangetram and performance materials — programmes, invitations, posters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other archival records
🎙️ Oral histories from artists, teachers, and practitioners about training and artistic journeys, community building, cultural transmission, and the evolution of Bharatanatyam within the Canadian diaspora

Materials may be shared digitally, loaned temporarily, or donated, depending on your preference. All contributors will be acknowledged and appropriately credited.

This exhibition is envisioned as the first in a series. While only a selection of materials can be presented in this first iteration, your contributions can help inform future exhibitions, research, and opportunities to preserve and share this history.

Have something to contribute? Fill out the form by October 2, 2026.

https://airtable.com/appRWpdXL6GUsUiDl/shroRAiAlaKzyJy0h

Help us build an archive that honours the people, relationships, teaching lineages, artistic practices, and communities that have carried Bharatanatyam across generations in Canada.

09/20/2026

🌺 Experience the grace and artistry of Mohiniyattam with performer and dance educator Saritha Rajesh.

Learn about this beautiful classical dance tradition from Kerala and its rich cultural roots at this introductory session presented with the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver and Aṣṭa Alliance.

✨ Free! Everyone is welcome.

💃 Intro to Indian Classical Dance: Mohiniyattam with Saritha Rajesh
📅 Saturday, Sept. 26 | 🕐️ 1 pm
📍 Kitsilano Branch

🎟️ Register: https://buff.ly/lW1tzZc

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.

07/02/2026
06/30/2026

Introducing Sujit Vaidya!

Vancouver Bharatanatyam artist Sujit Vaidya opens the Salon Series on July 9 with a full margam performed to live Carnatic music: from an alarippu invocation through the sweep of the varnam to a thillana that builds to a final rhythmic crescendo, exploring śṛṅgāra, desire in its many shades of longing, devotion, and surrender.

Accompanying artists include (mridangam), (nattuvangam), (vocals), and (violin).

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 #/

Please note the location change for our next 'Intro to Indian Classical Dance' lecdem, featuring Kathak with Akshaya Sur...
05/21/2026

Please note the location change for our next 'Intro to Indian Classical Dance' lecdem, featuring Kathak with Akshaya Surve.

Have you ever experienced the history and artistry of Indian Classical Dance?

Come learn about this culture of movement with the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver and Aṣṭa Alliance!

The third program in this ongoing series will highlight Kathak with expert performer and educator Akshaya Surve.

Akshaya Surve holds a Visharad (bachelor’s degree) in Kathak from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and she began her journey in Kathak under the guidance of Guru Shridhar Parkar, later continuing her studies with Guru Mayur Vaidya.

She has performed extensively across India and internationally, including in Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, and Oman. Based in Vancouver since 2022, Akshaya is the founder of Akshaya Kathak Academy, where she is dedicated to teaching and promoting Kathak.

📍 VPL Kitsilano Branch 2425 MacDonald St. Vancouver V6K 3Y9
📅 June 6th
🎟️ Free Admission | Registration is necessary: https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a03af82e8af4a2f00721996

This program is presented through our dance division, Aṣṭa Alliance, in partnership with Vancouver Public Library, and is generously funded by VPL Foundation donors.

Catch our second Intro to Indian Classical Dance session exploring Manipuri with Arno Kamolika on May 16th. Free registr...
05/05/2026

Catch our second Intro to Indian Classical Dance session exploring Manipuri with Arno Kamolika on May 16th. Free registration: https://www.icmsv.org/icdintro2

Have you ever experienced the history and artistry of Indian Classical Dance? Join us and for an afternoon of discovery and movement!

We are honoured to present Intro to Indian Classical Dance: Manipuri with Arno Kamolika

Manipuri dance rises from Manipur like a living poem, where every movement flows with quiet grace and devotion.
It brings to life the divine love of Krishna and Radha, weaving rhythm, emotion, and storytelling into a mesmerizing performance.

Arno Kamolika, who began her dance career as a student and practitioner of Manipuri dance, will walk us through her personal journey in dance through demonstration and discussion.

Come for a short live performance and a rich conversation about where this dance comes from, what it means, and how it moves. No background in dance required, just an open mind!

📍 VPL Fraserview Branch: 1950 Argyle Drive, Vancouver, BC V5P 2A8
📅 Saturday, May 16 | 12:00–1:00 PM
🎟️ Free Admission | Registration is necessary: https://www.icmsv.org/icdintro2

This program is presented through our dance division, Aṣṭa Alliance, in partnership with Vancouver Public Library, and is generously funded by VPL Foundation donors. ​

vancouverevents ICMSV AstaAlliance VPL

Join us this Saturday at Sahabhāva for an Odissi presentation by Sudhesna Mohapatra! Tickets start at $20: www.icmsv.org...
04/27/2026

Join us this Saturday at Sahabhāva for an Odissi presentation by Sudhesna Mohapatra! Tickets start at $20: www.icmsv.org/sahabhava

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