Anne-Maria Gaston

🪔 About

Dr. Anne-Marie Gaston, who performed under the stage name 'Anjali', was a distinguished Canadian figure in Indian classical dance, recognized internationally as a performer, choreographer, writer, photographer, lecturer, and teacher. Born on July 6, 1941, in Ottawa, Canada, she pursued her higher education at Oxford University, UK, earning both an M.Litt. and a D.Phil. in South Asian Artistic Traditions. Gaston's profound engagement with Indian dance began in 1964 when she commenced her studies in Bharatanatyam in Chennai (Madras) with Ellappa Pillai. Her performing career in India started in 1966, followed by her Canadian debut in 1967, where she presented the full Bharatanatyam classical margam repertoire. Over the years, she expanded her expertise to include several other classical Indian dance forms, such as Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Chhau, and Kathak. She spent many years living in India and the UK, traveling globally to observe and study diverse cultures and languages. Gaston was known for her pioneering work in using mixed-media in Indian dance presentations, emphasizing the interrelationships among dance, sculpture, and painting. She also choreographed and staged numerous recitals on non-traditional themes. Beyond her performance career, she was a prolific academic, teaching at universities and colleges across North America and the UK, and authoring significant works like "Siva in Dance, Myth and Iconography" and "Bharata Natyam: From Temple to Theatre". Her research often drew on her practical training, providing unique insights into the living dance traditions and their historical continuity. Anne-Marie Gaston passed away peacefully in Ottawa, Canada, on April 5, 2018.