Celebrating Asian Heritage Month: Bharatanatyam Finds a Place on the Canadian Cultural Stage.

Every May, Canada celebrates Asian Heritage Month, recognizing and honouring the
rich cultural contributions of Asian communities across the country. In a groundbreaking
initiative this year, classical Indian dance Bharatanatyam was featured for the first time
as part of the celebrations. This historic inclusion marks a proud moment for the South
Asian diaspora and a significant step toward deeper intercultural understanding.
The performances took place across four Toronto Public Library branches. The first
event was held at Lillian H. Smith Library on May 17, followed by a session at Agincourt
Library on May 24. The third performance was hosted at Mount Pleasant Library on May
27, and the final session took place at Fort York Library on May 28.

Each session was presented as an interactive workshop, rather than a traditional stage
performance. This format gave audiences a unique opportunity to engage directly with
this ancient and disciplined art form. The vibrant costumes, expressive storytelling, and
soulful Carnatic music captivated attendees, many of whom were experiencing
Bharatanatyam for the very first time.

A Thoughtfully Curated Cultural Experience

The events were meticulously organized by program coordinators at each library
branch. Promotional materials were shared through the Toronto Public Library website,
and pre-registration allowed for smooth planning and logistics. Each venue was set up
with care, including performance halls, microphones, projectors, digital signage, and
seating arrangements.

Each library began the program by offering a land acknowledgement, paying respect to
the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa,
Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples. This meaningful gesture reminded attendees of
the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and inclusivity. These values closely align with
the spirit of Asian Heritage Month, which aims to celebrate diversity and promote cross-
cultural learning.

Introducing Bharatanatyam to a New Audience

The featured performer, Sreejaya Puthumana, is a certified Bharatanatyam artist
residing in Canada. She holds a diploma and associate degree in the art form and is
also a certified yoga instructor with a postgraduate diploma in yoga therapy. She
continues her Bharatanatyam training under the guidance of Guru Kalakshetra Vishnu
Bhasi and Acharya Vishalakshy Parvathy K.G. from Kerala, India.

Sreejaya began each session by providing cultural and historical context to Indian
classical dance. She introduced Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, and explained
foundational concepts such as Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and
Natya (dramatic storytelling).

Her demonstrations included pieces like Pushpanjali, Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Kautwam,
Shabdam, and Keerthanam, which illustrated the various aspects of Bharatanatyam’s
technical and emotional vocabulary. The workshops encouraged interaction, and the
audience eagerly engaged with questions that extended the sessions beyond their
scheduled time.

An Audience Full of Curiosity and Wonder

The sessions drew a diverse crowd, including many Canadian-born attendees
unfamiliar with Bharatanatyam, as well as members of the Indian diaspora eager to
reconnect with their cultural roots. The thoughtful and enthusiastic questions from the
audience highlighted their genuine interest:

“Did you expect us to respond during your performance? I felt like answering back so
many times!”
“I have knee pain. Can I still learn this art form?”
“What’s the significance of the painted hands and feet?”
“Is your jewelry mentioned in the Natya Shastra as well?”
“How do you remember so many dances?”
“How did you regain stamina after motherhood?”
“How do dancers control their breathing?”
“Why does Bharatanatyam conclude with the Anjali Mudra?”
“Do I need to understand the language to learn this dance form?”
“If someone else performs the same piece, will the choreography be the same?”
These questions opened the door to deeper conversations about the discipline,
spirituality, and creativity that define Bharatanatyam. Sreejaya emphasized that dance,
like language, is built on structure. Just as we learn alphabets to form words and
sentences, Bharatanatyam is learned through a disciplined progression of technique
and expression.

While some choreographies are traditional and preserved through generations, others
are newly composed within the boundaries of Bharatanatyam’s grammar. For pure
dance (Nritta), the movements are abstract and do not rely on lyrics. In expressive

dance (Nritya and Natya), the emotional component, known as Rasa, reaches the
audience through Abhinaya, which means “leading the audience.” When viewers feel
compelled to respond emotionally, it signifies that the Rasa has been successfully
conveyed, even without shared language.

Dance Beyond Words

One of the most powerful messages from these sessions was that dance transcends
language. Although many in the audience did not understand the Tamil or Sanskrit lyrics
traditionally used in Bharatanatyam, they were still able to connect with the stories,
emotions, and aesthetics of the performance.

Sreejaya explained that Bharatanatyam is more than performance. It is a platform for
expressing emotion, building stamina, staying rooted in cultural heritage, cultivating
discipline, and developing confidence. It has the power to bring communities together
and foster a deeper appreciation of shared humanity through artistic expression.

A Milestone in Cultural Exchange

This year’s inclusion of Bharatanatyam in Asian Heritage Month programming was a
meaningful step forward in recognizing and celebrating South Asian culture within
Canada’s multicultural landscape. It offered a moment of visibility, pride, and connection
for the Indian community and provided a valuable learning experience for others.
As each session closed with the Anjali Mudra, a gesture of gratitude and respect, the
joy and curiosity on the faces of the audience members made it clear that
Bharatanatyam had created a lasting impression.