Tanveer Alam

🪔 About

Toronto-based Tanveer Alam is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, educator, curator, and producer, recognized for bridging heritage and innovation in his artistic practice. Born and raised in Montreal to Bangladeshi parents, he moved to Toronto in 2016 to pursue a professional dance career. Alam began his Kathak training with Sudeshna Maulik and continued his nuanced studies with guru Sandhya Desai. He also trains in Taal Vidya (Hindustani classical rhythms) with guru Pandit Divyang Vakil and has received further Kathak training from Pandita Shama Bhate and Sanjukta Sinha. He is currently pursuing mentorships with Harikishan S. Nair and Dheerendra Tiwari. In 2019, Alam graduated from the Dance Arts Institute of Canada (DAI) with a focus on Western contemporary dance. As a performer, Alam has graced the stage in works by esteemed artists such as Rina Singha, Lata Pada, Padmini Chettur, Brandy Leary, Harikishan S. Nair, Sashar Zarif, Lucy Rupert, Peter Chin, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Janak Khendry, Noémie Lafrance, and Sanjukta Sinha. His choreographic works have been presented at notable festivals and venues including SummerWorks Festival, Battery Dance Festival +, MAI – Montréal, arts, interculturels, CanAsian Dance Festival: Grit Short Dances, and Tangente. Recent choreographic premieres include "The Tagore Project" (co-choreographed with Atri Nundy), "In Multiplicity" (co-created with Nithya Garg), the Kathak solo "Haazri," and his first full-length solo "Leher" in 2023. He was a commissioned choreographer for Sampradaya Dance Creations' 35th anniversary work, "Salaam Rahman," and premiered the collaborative work "Ibaadat" with Barkha Patel at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. Alam also choreographed the double bill "NAKSHA" at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. He co-curated the "Kathak & Ballet" program at Fall For Dance North 2025. Beyond performing and choreographing, Alam is actively involved in the dance sector. He serves as an Alliance Lead at The South Asian Dance Alliance of Canada, was a guest curator at Dancemakers (2023 season), and is an Artistic Associate with TOES FOR DANCE (2023 season). He co-leads the Common Ground Dance Festival and has supported programming initiatives with the Flemingdon Park Toronto Public Library. Alam also teaches Kathak classes at the Dance Arts Institute. Awards & Honours: Eldred Family Protégé award.