Upcoming events
Salaam Rahman
Join us on October 5th, 2024, as we celebrate our 35-year anniversary with a live tribute to the one and only, the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman! We are thrilled to be joined by the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, an Indian Music Ensemble, and our talented dancers for this spectacular fusion of music and dance, celebrating Rahman’s unparalleled musical genius.
"Salaam Rahman" is a grand celebration of the prolific work of A.R. Rahman, a two-time Academy Award and Grammy Award winner, who has captivated global audiences with his innovative compositions. Known for blending Eastern classical music with contemporary sounds, Rahman’s music has left an indelible mark on the world of film and beyond.
The show will feature over 30 dancers showcasing a variety of dance styles, including Indian classical, folk, hip-hop, and contemporary movement. The dances have been commissioned to live music performed by the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with an Indian Music Ensemble comprising classically trained musicians and singers. Together, they will recreate Rahman’s signature blend of melodic Eastern classical intricacies, imaginative electronic sounds, and traditional orchestral arrangements.
Reflections of 2023
Artistic Director's Note
"As we stand on the brink of a new year, I find myself reflecting upon the incredible journey we've traversed as a South Asian dance company. 2023 has been a year woven with passion, research, resilience, and magic that only the arts can conjure.
Our stage has been graced by incredible performances, each one a testament to the dedication and boundless talent of our remarkable artists in the dance community. Your unwavering support, dear patrons, has been the heartbeat that sustains our creative journey. Together, we've created moments that linger long after the final bow.
To the dancers who poured their hearts into every step, the musicians who crafted melodies that linger, and the backstage crew whose tireless efforts makes the magic possible – thank you. And to our cherished audience, your energy and appreciation fuel our artistic fire." - Suma Nair
About Us
Dance Creations
Sampradaya Dance Creations is an award-winning Canadian professional dance company specializing in creating and producing classical and contemporary dance works rooted in the South Asian dance form of Bharatanatyam. Sampradaya's strength lies in its pursuit of excellence by creating a stunning range of solo and ensemble works that are infused with the creativity of Indian dance vocabularies and inspiring audiences with its innovative approaches to traditional movement.
Sampradaya Dance Creations maintains a strong presence in the Canadian dance scene through its national tours and festival participation. Sampradaya Dance Creations has toured across Canada and internationally to India, the United States, Indonesia and Ireland.
Programming
Lata Pada, Founder
Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher & Cultural Consultant, Lata Pada is recognized as one of Canada’s leading artists and arts advocates. An award-winning artist, she holds the distinction of being the first South Asian artist to receive the prestigious national honor of the Order of Canada in 2009. In January 2011, she was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India. In 2012, she was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to the community as a Canadian citizen. More recently, Lata was inducted into the 2013 Inaugural Mississauga Legend’s Row as well as being named one of the Most Influential Individuals of the City of Mississauga.
As the Founder of Sampradaya Dance Creations, Lata’s choreographic vision is compelled by her desire to redefine bharatanatyam in the ‘here and now’ as it navigates new and uncharted territory resulting in a stunning range of solos, ensemble works and multi-disciplinary productions.
Lata has trained under India’s eminent gurus Kalaimamani Kalyanasundaram and Padmabhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan. Originally from Bangalore, India, she has made Canada her home since 1964. She holds an MFA in Dance from York University and is an Adjunct Professor in their Graduate Program.
“Her clear direction in dance makes her one of the few who can successfully translate a thousand-year-old tradition into 21st century realities “
Toronto star