Ishita Singla, founder of Madhuban Performing Arts, channels her lifelong dance passion into a journey of empowerment. Influenced by icons like Madhuri Dixit and Madhubala, she founded the organization in 2016, initially a dance team but quickly evolving into a diverse artist haven. The music team was born in 2017, adding depth to Madhuban’s legacy. Ishita seeks to integrate art into lives, shifting South Asian art in Calgary from an afterthought to a cornerstone. Her impact on the community aims to make art integral to personal journeys.

From belly dancing to bhangra, Rashmeet is a self-taught dancer who has been with Madhuban since its inception. Whether it’s performing in various projects, helping out backstage or teaching Madhuban’s dance classes in Edmonton, she has been actively involved in Madhuban’s growth from day one. As a performer and teacher, Rashmeet enjoys sharing the art of dance and watching others grow confident in their abilities. The expressiveness, individuality and creativity are what make South Asian dance forms her favorite.

Having tried her hand at dancing as a child, Nmeshivi got more interested in pursuing it after joining Madhuban. Through her time with Madhuban, she has grown from attending dance workshops to teaching her own adult and kids dance classes. While she enjoys passing on everything she has learnt to her students, performing is still her favorite part about being a dancer. Opening for the Atif Aslam concert in Calgary felt like a dream come true and is her most memorable moment with Madhuban.

Hansika grew up dancing to bhangra and Bollywood music before she joined Madhuban in 2018. She brings her creativity and passion for dance to the team and enjoys the fusion of different dance forms to create the unique pieces Madhuban is known for. Hansika loves dancing for a cause and appreciates the work Madhuban is doing within the Calgary community. From watching University of Calgary’s prestigious Dance Montage to performing at it, she is proud of how far the team has come and is excited for what the future holds.

From teaching dance since middle school to attending workshops on Zoom to performing on the streets of downtown Calgary, Komal has a soft spot for Bollywood dancing. Whether she’s teaching Madhuban’s dance classes or emulating Madhuri’s expressions on shoot days, dance is an outlet that gives her the strength to take on the world. She attributes her growth as a person to her experience with Madhuban and is excited to contribute towards the team as it goes from strength to strength.

In search of new ways to stay fit, Bhu knew she needed to “keep moving to stay moving” and that’s when she happened to stumble upon dance. For Bhu, Madhuban is about a group of artists making art where she gets to explore her Punjabi and Canadian identities through Bhangra-fusion forms of dance. As an artist at heart, dancing with Madhuban and managing its social media are just two of the many ways she channels her creativity.

Through her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Calgary, Danielle brings her specialization in contemporary forms of dance to the team. She finds that her understanding of jazz really helps her perform South Asian cultural dances. Danielle believes it’s Madhuban’s inclusivity and uniqueness that make it stand out within Calgary’s arts and culture scene. Dancing on the streets of downtown Calgary for Chinook Blast is a memory that she’ll always cherish.

Ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop and Afro are just some of the dance forms Shelby is familiar with. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Calgary and a six-year stint in a competitive hip-hop crew, she finds the energy and collaboration in Madhuban is what sets it apart. As a non-South Asian team member, she enjoys the inclusiveness, comfort and confidence she gets dancing with Madhuban and is interested in learning more about different South Asian dance forms.

Shiv has been dancing for over a decade, with his mom being his first ever choreographer. For him, picking a favorite form of dance is like picking a favorite word – there’s too many to choose from! Apart from dance, he enjoys artistic expressions of all kinds and likes to explore different musical instruments in his free time. As a strong believer of dance as a collective experience, Shiv identifies deeply with Madhuban and the community it continues to cultivate.

Akshat’s sense of rhythm comes from his mother, who is a classically trained singer. Having grown up in India, his involvement in the culture has played a major role in influencing his art. He enjoys dancing with Madhuban because of how it represents the diverse dance forms of South Asia. Akshat believes that it is Madhuban’s understanding of fundamentals and exploration of different artforms that make it stand out. He encourages everyone to follow their true passions no matter the experience or professional training you may have had.

Riya’s dance journey began in Botswana, inspired by shows like “So You Think You Can Dance.” Self-taught through freestyle and YouTube tutorials, she joined a hip-hop studio in Calgary during a 2022 internship, deepening her understanding of choreography and musicality. Joining Madhuban allowed her to explore various dance genres, especially those connected to her cultural heritage, such as classical and folk dances. She values the collective’s collaborative environment, contributing to choreography and embracing new challenges. Riya seeks beauty in all forms of dance and continuously strives to grow as a versatile performer.

Haiya has been an avid dancer from a young age, attending a Bollywood-style academy and competing in city-level competitions. After moving to Canada, her dance journey paused until she rediscovered her passion through Madhuban. Her first performance was an exhilarating halftime show at a Calgary Surge Basketball game, reigniting her love for dance. Now exploring styles like Kathak, she is excited to learn and grow as a dancer. For Haiya, dance is a powerful emotional expression and an escape from daily life. She’s also stepping into choreography, inspiring others with her dedication to the art.

Nita’s dance journey is a blend of various styles, including classical, Bollywood, contemporary, and jazz. Though she never received prolonged formal training, her diverse background helps her adapt quickly and bring a unique flair to Madhuban. She joined the collective through social media and became an integral part of the team. Dance has been a source of personal growth for Nita, and she credits Madhuban’s supportive environment for helping her rediscover herself. Balancing academics with her passion for dance, Nita remains committed to her journey and contributing to Madhuban’s creative community.

Avi joined Madhuban Performing Arts as a videographer, reigniting his passion for dance, particularly hip-hop. Growing up in India, he participated in school dance teams, though his love for dance remained informal. After moving to Canada, his passion resurfaced through Madhuban, where he balances dance with his videography career. Hip-hop is his favorite style, and he’s eager to master Krump for its expressiveness. Avi’s videography journey began with filming himself dancing, evolving into a passion for creating music videos and short films. He is dedicated to refining his craft and aspires to direct impactful films.

When Shankar arrived in Calgary, he sought a professional dance group to continue his passion for dance, and Madhuban quickly became his artistic home. With over 15 years of experience, Shankar is a dedicated dancer and choreographer who honed his skills through self-teaching, drawing inspiration from online platforms. Specializing in Kuthu, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Lyrical dance, he brings a unique fusion of techniques to his performances. Shankar aspires to master Bachata, adding to his repertoire, and continues to innovate and inspire through his craft while balancing his academic pursuits.

Swathy, a passionate dancer from Kerala, South India, has been part of Madhuban Performing Arts since late 2022. With a foundation in classical Indian dance, she has been learning and performing since age six, focusing mainly on Bharatanatyam while also dabbling in Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. Joining Madhuban pushed her out of her comfort zone, encouraging collaboration in choreography. Despite balancing motherhood, Swathy is committed to her craft and appreciates Madhuban’s supportive environment. She continues expanding her repertoire, especially in Bollywood dance, while staying true to her classical roots and growing as an artist.

Lindsay’s dance journey began young, exploring ballet and contemporary dance. She trained semi-professionally, completing ballet exams and earning a double degree in Kinesiology and Dance. Her experience includes performing at festivals and unique projects like vertical dance with the group Ariosa, where she danced off trees and buildings in a harness. Joining Madhuban through a university connection, Lindsay embraced the challenge of Bollywood dance, appreciating the collective’s supportive environment. Though she prefers learning choreography to creating it, she enjoys contributing ideas during rehearsals. Inspired by South Asian dance, Lindsay looks forward to further growth with Madhuban.