The Svāhā! Body-Choir
In April, Nova Bhattacharya visited Vancouver to work with the Body-Choir, who will perform a pre-show invocation. See what the dancers are saying about the process!
"It has been a beautiful process leading the Body-Choir rehearsals in Vancouver. When we held our auditions back in April we had a group of women walk into the SFU dance studio that were courageous, vulnerable, and daring to try something different. Nova Dance created a safe space for them to share, move and learn from one another. Each week I see the dancers become more vulnerable and bring down walls or masks they may have and just be themselves. These women come from various dance styles, experiences, ages etc. but somehow they have found a connection with one another which has been special to watch. The process for me has been very different compared to all other Nova Dance rehearsals because I am leading these rehearsals along with Arno. I thankful for the trust that Novadi has on me to execute and lead her process. It does not happen often that I get to watch more than I dance. It is also a learning process for me and my understanding of Novadi’s work and the translation of movement from her to me to these dancers. What is kept? Is there a new experience created? What is my understanding of the movement when I teach? What can I learn from these dancers and take into my own practice? I have also been introduced to dancers in this city that I did not know before and each Sunday I learn something new about each one of them. I am looking forward to seeing the dancers perform in the opening invocation for Svāhā in July at the Vancouver Playhouse."
-Kiruthika Rathanaswami,
Nova Dance Associate Artist,
Vancouver 2023 Body-Choir Co-ordinator
"What is amazing about these Sunday sessions is the fact that all these women, who were completely unknown to each other a month ago, who comes with different forms in their bodies and different levels of experience as dancers, feel absolutely safe to share their space and open their heart with the most personal stories, without feeling the need to fit in. The space is becoming more and more fun with each passing week."
-Arno Kamolika
“Svāhā! Body-Choir, makes my body sing for forgiveness while my soul meets it’s creative sisters from other lands...”
"For me, Svāhā! Body-Choir is an immersive experience where I learn, unlearn, construct, deconstruct, inspire and get inspired by individuals bound the passion of dance."
-Aditi Chaudhury, Body-Choir Dancer
"Svāhā! Body-Choir, makes my body sing for forgiveness while my soul meets it's creative sisters from other lands, but same Mother Earth. I feel honored to be part of this process, I feel blessed."
-Renata Monteón, Body-Choir Dancer
"I've loved watching everyones unique styles and experiences fuse together so beautifully at the Svāhā! Body-Choir rehearsals so far. I feel so grateful to learn from my teachers and peers in a safe environment filled with so many talented women."
-Lily Wallman, Body-Choir Dancer