Overview Anjali Patil Past Events
In the ancient Sanskrit tradition, Aroha refers to the ascending order of pitch in the classical Indian raga, or music scale. Likewise, mastering the art of the Kathak dance form - as with all forms of artistic expression - is an infinitely ascending journey, requiring both knowledge and experience. It is with this vision that Artistic Director Anjali Patil founded Aroha Fine Arts as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to excellence in professional classical Indian dance.
Aroha Fine Arts was originally established in 1989 as Nrityabharati Dance Academy, a professional arts organization, with the blessing of Anjali Patil's first guru, Rohini Bhate, one of India's foremost exponents in Kathak. Over the past 15 years, Nrityabharati Dance Academy's community contribution has included a wide range of activities such as commissioned professional performances. Aroha Fine Arts has already become a leading arts organization gaining local, national and international recognition. Its most celebrated success was the creation and production of Kathak - Context & Continuity , that was presented by the Canadian Museum of Civilization as part of its regular programming season - a first for a professional classical Indian dance company. Recently, Aroha Fine Arts performed at the South Asian Music Festival in Hamilton, which was later aired on ATN television. Some notable undertakings in the National Capital Region are listed below.
PERFORMANCES:
2006 - Kathak Rang, Asian Heritage Month Festival, Downtown Arts Centre, Hamilton
2005 - Kathak - Context & Continuity, Museum of Civilization, Gatineau
2004 - Anjali Patil and Prashant Shah in TATHA-TA, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa
1998 - Maulik Shah at Southam Hall Theatre at Carleton University
1997 - Padmashri Birju Maharaj & Troupe at Centrepointe Theatre, Nepean
1996 - Anjali Patil, Ravi Mony & Niharika Mohanty in 'Triveni' at Southam Hall Theatre, Carleton University
1995 - Maulik Shah & Ishira Parikh at Southam Hall Theatre, Carleton University
1991 - Anjali Patil at Southam Hall Theatre, Carleton University
1988 - Rohini Bhate & Troupe at Southam Hall Theatre, Carleton University
WORKSHOPS:
2005 - Padmashri Dr. Sunil Kothari & Prashant Shah at Aroha Fine Arts
1999 - Padmashri Kumudini Lakhia at Nrityabharati Dance Academy
1998 - Maulik Shah at Nrityabharati Dance Academy
1997 - Padmashri Birju Maharaj at Nrityabharati Dance Academy
1995 - Anjali Patil at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
1988 - Guru Rohini Bhate at Nrityabharati Dance Academy
Today, Aroha Fine Arts continues to create traditional and contemporary works, educate and do outreach activities in professional classical Indian dance and music. This includes regular Kathak classes and workshops, as well as performances bringing together local, national and international professional artists .
