KH Kanna (he/him)

K.H. Kanna underwent extensive training in Bharatanatyam under gurus Smt. Malini Pararajasingham, and Sri. Sheejith Krishna.

He is featured in Harbhajan Mann’s movie “Jee Aaya Nu” and Sukhdev Sukha’s “Dhola,” the videos “Show Me What Ya Got” (Nessa V), “Too Soon” (Hey Ocean), “A.L.L.” by MTV’s Eric Solomon, “Testify” (Lady Mona), and “We Party” (Razor B). Kanna has also choreographed for Canadian artistes Karian Sang and Navz47. Further credits include Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Sanctuary Season 2, Karl Wolfe, and a short movie with choreographer Jae Blaze; the productions “Ganga” and “Kaal – Time” by the Janak Khendry Dance Company (Kuwait, Oman, India.); The 2017 Toronto International Dance Festival, The 2017 Kalanidhi Festival, hosted by The Menaka Thakkar Dance Company; “Howzat!” by Sampradaya Dance Creations, and “Nadi” by Spanda Dance Company; and the annual Vengamala Bhagavathy Temple festival in Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In 2018 Kanna debuted his first margam of his own choreographic works titled “Darshan” with an ensemble of 7 first generation Canadian musicians and 6 other young dancers.

Apart from Bharata Natyam, Kanna studies Kathakali under the guidance of Smt. Anupama Dineshkumar, and Carnatic vocal under Sri Arun Gopinath. Under the able guidance of his gurus, Kanna strives to deepen his understanding of this rich art form and spread awareness among the diaspora.

Birthplace: New Westminster, BC

Training/dance vocabularies: Bharata Natyam, Dancehall, Hip Hop (fundamentals & commercial), Casino Rueda

Why Nova Dance: Respect, inclusiveness, reflective

My most cherished moment as a dancer: being invited into a ceremony by the First Nations representatives at the 2010 Olympics in the green rooms, and bringing our dhols and forms of expression to blend with theirs.

What I love about dance: the fact that I am writing and telling my story to myself.

How have stayed connected to your art and creativity during the pandemic? I've stayed connected through my own practice, teaching my students, and continuing to engage with my Gurus regularly.

For Nova Dance: New Monuments; 2023 Metcalf Performing Arts Intern; jab tak hai jaan.

Social: @kh.kanna