Lata Pada

🪔 About

Lata Pada, CM, is an Indian-born Canadian choreographer and Bharatanatyam dancer, recognized as a leading figure in South Asian dance in Canada. Born on November 7, 1947, in Bombay (Mumbai), India, she began her Bharatanatyam training at the age of six and performed her solo debut, or Arangetram, at thirteen. Her distinguished gurus include Kalaimamani Kalyanasundaram and Padmabhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan. Pada immigrated to Canada in 1964 after her marriage, commencing her solo dance career in 1965. She lived in Indonesia for several years, where she developed an interest in cross-cultural collaborations, before returning to Canada in 1979. Her extensive international career has seen her perform across India, Canada, the USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Colombia, Mexico, Ireland, Austria, China, and Cuba. Pada earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from York University in 1996. In 1990, Pada founded Sampradaya Dance Creations, a dance company, and Sampradaya Dance Academy, a professional training institution, both based in Mississauga, Ontario. She served as the Artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance Creations for 31 years, stepping down in May 2022 to become Artistic Director Emerita. Her choreographic work is celebrated for its daring and innovative exploration of Bharatanatyam, blending traditional and contemporary styles. Notable productions include "Revealed by Fire" (2001), a multi-media dance theatre work that garnered significant acclaim and toured internationally. Beyond her artistic contributions, Pada is a passionate arts advocate and was instrumental in lobbying for an inquiry into the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which tragically claimed the lives of her husband and two daughters. Awards & Honours: Mississauga Arts Award (1995), New Pioneers Award (2000), Professional Woman of the Year Award from the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (2003), Best Teacher Award from the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana (2006), Lifetime Achievement Award by the Toronto Sanskriti Sangha (2007), Member of the Order of Canada (2008), Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2011), Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Legend's Row Award (2013), Eldred Family Dance Award (2026).