52+
Years of Experience
6+
Students Taught
1
Followers
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Menaka Thakkar (March 3, 1942 – February 5, 2022) was an internationally renowned Indo-Canadian dancer, choreographer, and teacher who profoundly influenced the development and appreciation of Indian classical dance in Canada. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, she began her dance training as a child, mastering three distinct classical Indian dance styles:…
Journey Timeline
1942
Born in Bombay, India
1963
Earned BA in visual arts and began performing career
1972
Toured Canada
1973
Immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto
1974
Founded Nrtyakala: The Canadian Academy of Indian Dance
1984
Established Menaka Thakkar Dance Company (MTDC)
1993
Received honorary Doctor of Letters from York University
1998
Received President's Award from Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
2006
Received City of Toronto Face the Arts Cultural Maverick Award for Dance
2008
Named to India Abroad magazine's "Power List"
2008
Received "Excellence in Multiculturalism Celebration" Award for Arts and Education
2012
Awarded Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts
2013
Received Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance)
2019
Inducted into Dance Collection Danse's Dance Hall of Fame
2022
Passed away in Toronto
Photo Gallery
Photos will appear here.
Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 1993 · Honorary Doctor of Letters — York University
- 1998 · President's Award — Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
- 2006 · City of Toronto Face the Arts Cultural Maverick Award for Dance — City of Toronto
- Toronto Arts Award for Performing Arts
- 2008 · India Abroad magazine's "Power List" — India Abroad magazine
- 2008 · "Excellence in Multiculturalism Celebration" Award for Arts and Education — EMCY Awards Foundation
- 2012 · Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts — Canada Council for the Arts
- 2013 · Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance) — Governor General's Performing Arts Awards
- 2019 · Induction into Dance Hall of Fame — Dance Collection Danse
- Tri-National Creative Residency Award — National Endowment for the Arts, United States
Media Coverage
- Menaka Thakkar
The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Menaka Thakkar
Dance Collection Danse
- In Tribute: Menaka Thakkar
The Dance Current
Schools & Affiliations
Testimonials
Student & peer testimonials will appear here.
Upcoming Workshops
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