About Us

The School of Dance, Music and Theatre was established as a project of the India Association of Winnipeg in 1980, with a mandate to promote the East Indian visual and performing arts in Manitoba. In 1983, the institution was independently incorporated as the "INDIA SCHOOL OF DANCE, MUSIC & THEATRE INC.". In 1986, the School acquired its own studios/offices at 567 St. Mary's Road (Winnipeg Manitoba). From a small beginning of only 25 students, the School now accommodates well over 150. The school provides instruction in Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Hindustani Vocal Music / Harmonium, Flute, Sitar, Tabla and Carnatic Vocal Music. The school also directs its efforts towards the organizing of music and dance performances / workshops by eminent visiting artists. Notable among these include Kerala Kalamandalam (Kathakali), Jhaveri Sisters (Manipuri), Hariprasad Chaurasia (Hindustani Flute), Ulhas Bapat (Santoor), Buddaditya Mukherjee (Sitar), K.V Narayanaswamy (Carnatic Vocal), Rohini Bhate (Kathak), Rina Singha (Kathak), Meneka Thakkar (Bharatnatyam), Kalanidhi Narayanan (BharathNatyam Abhinaya), Arati Tiekekar (Hindustani Vocal), Lata Pada (BharathNatyam), Ashwini Bhinde (Hindustani Vocal), Ustad Zakir Hussain (Tabla), Lalith Rao (Hindustani Vocal) and many others. The school has published numerous technical / instructional materials on the arts, including "FOLK AND TRIBAL DANCES OF INDIA" by Rina Singha (1983), "CARNATIC MUSIC (Theory)" and "CARNATIC MUSIC (Exercises)" by Ananda Balasubramaniam (1984-1985), "HINDUSTANI MUSIC" by Pankaj Chand (1986), and "RAMAYANA" (With Slides) by Brenda Cantelo (1987). In 1990 India School created a new dance troupe for performances in the community called MANOHAR. The alumni were showcased in its first full length production "Rhythms of the Universe in 1991" followed by "Valli" '92,'93. The achievements of the India School of Dance, Music & Theatre have been recognized on the local, provincial and national levels. The Bharatnatyam students of the school have regularly received awards at the Dance Manitoba Provincial Dance Festival. In 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2002 the school won the Senior Dance Scholarship in the National category. Performance requests have taken students around Manitoba and to the United States. In 1987, the school was awarded the "Prix Manitoba Award" for outstanding achievement in the area of Multiculturalism. In October 1984 the students of the school performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and in July 1999 performed for Princess Anne and the Pan American Games. For further information please e-mail the school at indiasch@mts.net or contact them by phone at (204) 233 - 0069 or (204) 256 - 7812. India School of Dance, Music and Theatre Inc.