Ragamalika Mohanraj
Performer
What the Nominator shared: Raga is an Indian classical dancer training and performing in 2 styles, Barathanatyam and Odissi. She has been learning dance for more than 25 years. She is a 1st Generation immigrant and artist in Canada from South Asia(India). She is also the co-founder and choreographer of KARIKA-The Verses of Dance, a Dance ensemble in Toronto. Her main moto is to provide opportunities for women who have a passion for dance but have constraints such as career,kids etc. She had the opportunity to perform in many platforms across Canada,USA and India. She was given the ‘North American Tamil Excellence Award 2024’ for her outstanding performance and hard work, by Canada Tamil Sangam. She was highly praised for her unique dance style and captivating expressions in many dance festivals. She continues to put her earnest efforts and devotes herself to the field of dance.
I feel she deserves to be on the spotlight for her hardwork and dedication. Her contribution to dance field and her nature to bring other dancers up and provide opportunities is commendable. She is a graceful dancer who works in New innovative ideas to connect with the audience.
In their own words: Being a first generation Artist and immigrant from South Asia, I was very skeptical about the dance experience I would get here in Canada. I am an IT engineer and a mom to a 1.5 year old. To my surprise, Canada paved a new way for me in understanding how a traditional art form from India can be shared with world wide audience.I have learnt a lot and improved as an artist. Canadian platforms are very welcoming and inclusive for Artists like me which encourages me to create more work which can be beneficial and enjoyable to wma wide range of audiences. I recently co-founded a dance group to benefit women who have a passion for dance. In my initial days it was quite a struggle to network and get opportunities. I want to pave a path where women can find a safe space to dance in spite of having full time jobs, kids and other restrictions. "Dance is like the air I breathe. Dance has given me the strength that I dint know I had.Barathanatyam and Odissi are the 2 dance forms that I practice which have more than 3000 years of history, I hope to make my art more inclusive for all types of audiences. I hope to help other dancers from my community to continue with their passion by creating more opportunities for everyone."
CanAsian Dance is situated in Tkaronto, a Mohawk word meaning “the place in the water where the trees are standing.” It is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and it continues to be the home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
This land is under the Dish with One Spoon covenant, an agreement between the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This land is a dish to be shared and cared for and we all share one spoon; the spoon is to be used to take only what is needed and to leave enough for others, thus ensuring a viable and abundant future. We recognize the enduring resilience of Indigenous peoples and we acknowledge that we are accountable to these relationships and these agreements.
We carry these values of responsibility in sharing and caring in abundance with consideration of not only ourselves but of our communities that we share together.
