Gora Sing

🪔 About

Gora Sing was a pioneering figure in the propagation of Kathak, a North Indian classical dance style, in the Caribbean region. Born of Indonesian origin, he grew up in India, where he received his training in Kathak. He later moved to Guyana before making a significant impact in Suriname. In 1973, Gora Sing became the very first Indian dancer in the Kathak style to arrive in Suriname, marking a pivotal moment for Indian classical dance in the country. A dedicated Kathak Dance Exponent, Caribbean Folklorist, and Cultural Activist, Gora Sing was instrumental in establishing and promoting Indian classical dance forms in the diaspora. In 1976, he founded the Gora Singh Dance Company, which actively toured and performed across several Caribbean nations, including Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Barbados, and Jamaica, thereby spreading the reach of Kathak dance. His commitment to cultural preservation and promotion led him to co-found the Rajkumari Cultural Center in 1995 with his sister, Pritha Singh. This institution aimed to nurture and showcase neglected heritage art forms, particularly those unique variations evolved from the East Indian Diaspora in Guyana, Suriname, the Caribbean, and New York. Gora Sing served as a guru, imparting his knowledge of Kathak to students, including his sister Pritha Singh, who also studied under Kumudini Lakhia. His legacy is remembered in the region, as evidenced by mentions in discussions about Kathak in Guyana and his inclusion in "The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music" concerning Indian musical traditions in Guyana. Gora Sing passed away in 1997, leaving behind a significant cultural footprint in the Indo-Caribbean community.