La Troupe Kala Bharati, the performing wing of the dance school in Montreal, was formed by its Artistic Director, Mamata Niyogi-Nakra, to fill a need to have performances in Bharata Natya by well-trained dancers with a strong technical background and ability to perform. Having worked with the solo format that Bharata Natya had to offer in presenting Jai Govinda, Deepa and Parvathy on several occasions in Canada, the U.S. and India, since 1982, Mamata Niyogi-Nakra’s artistic direction took another turn in 1987, an evolutionary process in looking at the potential Bharata Natya has in group formations, creating pathways in time and space.




La Troupe Kala Bharati comprises of young dancers who have trained in the Pandanallur tradition of Bharata Natya at its dance school for a minimum of eight years under the supervision and instruction of Mamata herself. Several members of the troupe have given their Ranga Praveshes, and have been part of the teaching personel at the dance school. They are also involved in the different aspects of the productions -an experience that gives them a better feel and understanding for their performances. Over the years, the strength of the troupe has varied between eight and fifteen dancers. The fact that the members have trained at the same institution has contributed to a cohension that is an important quality for group work. This is palpable in their performances and has been noted by many critics and connoisseurs alike.

Most of the members of the troupe have actively and regularly participated in the successful project Fenêtre sur le Monde whose aim is to bring Indian dance to the schools in the Montreal region through animation, demonstration and children’s participation.

Quite a few dancers from the troupe have travelled with its Artistic Director to various conferences and symposiums on Indian dance in Canada as well as to London and the Netherlands. They have also taken part at the various lecture-demonstrations given fairly regularly by Kala Bharati.