Anjali Patil (she/her/Ms.)

Canadian-born dancer-choreographer Anjali Patil has trained under renowned masters of classical Indian dance Kathak. She is founder and artistic director of Aroha Fine Arts, one of only a handful of organizations working in the professional Kathak dance milieu.

Anjali has performed her works at noteworthy events - from the Canada Dance Festival to Delhi International Arts Festival, the Junos to International Film Festival of India. Her speaking engagements include the Dance Department at Hyderabad University, India, and the National Centre for Performing Arts, India. Anjali teaches in Canada, India and the Middle East.

Anjali co-produces Canada Yuva Mahotsav and produces ArohaFest - Canada's first bilingual festival celebrating arts of India in Canada. She is a recipient of awards including of the Corel Endowment for the Arts. She was featured in a Kathak documentary produced by Doordarshan TV India. Anjali is regularly featured in media and is actively keeping the Indian dance scene thriving in Ottawa and beyond.

Birthplace: Oshawa

Training: Kathak under Gurus Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia and Late Pandita Rohini Bhate.

Companies: Aroha Fine Arts, Kadamb Kathak, Nrityabharati Pune, Mystique Ottawa

Why Nova Dance? Nova, Fresh, Fun

My best moment as a dancer: In studio with my Guru Kumudini Lakhia ji learning a piece created for me.

What I love about dance: Kathak has a long history and tradition, and when I am dancing or creating, I feel I am part of its timeline and landscape – I am in a space where the linear walls of time are blurred and history exists in the present.

For Nova Dance: Svāhā