Dance as Blessing ~ ‘Shubham Bhavatu’ Featuring
Fiana Kawane | Puneet Singh | Akshaya Surve
About the Show
Featuring the exceptional talents and gharane-daar taalim (training in the traditional style of a classical lineage) of Puneet Singh, Akshaya Surve, and Fiana Kawane, this performance weaves together the essence of rasa (emotion), kala (art), and bhava (expression) into a rich sensory journey. Audiences will experience solo pieces as well as collaborative choreographies by three of Canada’s most dynamic Kathak artists.
Shubham Bhavatu is a poetic performance that fuses the timeless history of Kathak with Art projections inspired by Indian classical aesthetics, spiritual symbolism, and diasporic lived experiences that are deeply personal and universally resonant as portals to stillness, memory, and meaning.
The Kathak Artists
Fiana Kawane
Fiana is an internationally acclaimed Kathak artist and choreographer whose work bridges tradition with contemporary resonance. Trained at Kadamb, India, an institute founded by the legendary Kumudini Lakhia, she has performed extensively across India, Pakistan, Canada, Japan, and France. Her full-length production Nrityavandan: Ode to Dance premiered in Tokyo, where it was celebrated for its innovation and depth.
Fiana’s artistry thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration and creating meaningful public access to classical forms. She has received support from institutions such as The Dance Centre, Dance Victoria, BC Culture Days, the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, Vines Art Society, New Works, Dance West, and has held residencies with Dance Victoria and the Artists-in-Residence Studio (AIRS) program in partnership with the Vancouver School Board.
Puneet Singh
Puneet is a rising force in Canadian Kathak, celebrated for his refined grace, intricate abhinaya (expression), and rhythmic brilliance. Based between British Columbia and Ontario, Puneet represents the elegance and discipline of the Lucknow Gharana, honed through rigorous training with Mahua Shankar, disciple of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj.
Deeply rooted in the Guru–Shishya Parampara (teacher–disciple tradition), Puneet brings a profound sense of devotion and discipline to his practice. Every performance reflects the essence of his gharana, while carrying forward its timeless purity and aesthetics. His work champions traditional compositions, classical music, and authentic storytelling, ensuring that audiences experience Kathak in its most soulful form. With a vision to revive and expand Kathak’s presence in Canada, Puneet is committed to inspiring new generations of dancers and cultivating deeper appreciation for the form’s historic richness. His performances are a testament to Kathak’s enduring power as both a classical and living art.
Akshaya Surve
With over 20 years of intensive training and performance, Akshaya Surve is known for her commanding stage presence and technical mastery. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Kathak from the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, she has performed across India, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, and Oman, earning recognition for her artistry and versatility. Akshaya’s career includes high-profile productions such as the Broadway award-winning musical Mughal-E-Azam, Nazakat(NCPA), and Megh Malhar (Nehru Centre).
Since relocating to Vancouver in 2022, Akshaya has founded the Akshaya Kathak Academy, where she is cultivating new talent and building a vibrant Kathak community in Canada. Her Canadian performances include major festivals such as Vasantotsav, Surrey Fusion Festival, and Namaste Canada. She recently presented a bold new work, Draupadi, at The Dance Centre’s 12 Minutes Max. Through both her teaching and performance, Akshaya is shaping the future of Kathak in Canada, blending technical excellence with visionary creativity.
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE!
All tickets just $30!
BOX OFFICE: 604.927.6555 | Open Monday – Saturday, 12 – 5PM
This is a co-presentation organized by The Bandish Network and Nina Buddhdev. Thank you to all community champions for amplifying classical Indian arts across Canada.
You may also like the following events from Evergreen Cultural Centre:
- This Tuesday, 18th November, 07:30 pm, I Don't Belong Here in Coquitlam
- Next Wednesday, 26th November, 07:30 pm, The Comedy Department: Abba BlahBlahBlah in Coquitlam
- Next Saturday, 29th November, 08:00 pm, Rehearsal Hall Sessions: The Agency Singers - Shaken, Stirred & Harmonized in Coquitlam
Also check out other
Arts events in Coquitlam,
Workshops in Coquitlam,
Festivals in Coquitlam.
