India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria
presents the
6th Annual
India Mela
Classical F Bollywood F live Bhangra Beats F
Authentic Cuisine by local Chefs F
Multicultural Performances F
DON’T MISS
Jewelry F Fashion F Arts & Crafts F
A RARE CHANCE
TO SEE THIS HIGH ENERGY
AND ULTRA-TALENTED
SHIAMAK DAVAR TEAM
LIVE!
2015
August 7 F 4:30–7:30pm
August 8 F 11am–8pm
August 9 F 11am–7pm
CentenniAl SquAre
Media Sponsors
Funded by
iccavictoria.com
Contents
Welcome
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Culture:
About the ICCA . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Membership Info . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mela Committee . . . . . . . . . . 5
Performance List. . . . . . . . 7-18
Performance Schedule . . . 10-11
Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mela Kiosks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The India Canada Cultural Association (ICCA) is a registered not-for-profit
society mandated to celebrate and raise awareness about the power, diversity
and color of India’s rich culture in Victoria.
The ICCA is driven by community and volunteers, and has a rich history of
more than 36 years of contributing to Victoria through events like the India
Mela and Vaisakhi.
A Mela is a gathering or fair that incorporates art, culture, music, food,
sport and other celebratory elements — it is a way of life in India. Here, it
is an opportunity to share the richness of Indian culture, create community
partnerships and demonstrate a healthy, respectful way of life.
The ICCA thanks you for participating in and supporting the 2015 India
Mela. This is our 6th annual event and we proudly offer you the best and
biggest Mela yet!
Your support and presence is greatly valued by the entire community —
particularly our youth who are the future leaders.
We look forward to working with you on future events.
Thank you!
Gordy Dodd
President, India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria
Performer photos were submitted
by the individuals or groups, but
several other photos in this book
are courtesy of Island Video, including the one of Gordy on this
page, and those on pages 3, 5, 11,
12, 18, 19, 20 & 21.
Thank you Island Video!
And a special thank you to
Bonnie Light for putting together
this beautiful program.
2
2015 India Mela
About the ICCA
The India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria is a registered non-profit society that has been working hard for
more than thirty-six years to build a stronger and more inclusive community.
Our goal is to promote education and tolerance, and to
celebrate the social, cultural and language traditions of
India. We focus on providing youth with opportunities to
develop self-esteem, pride and confidence.
We have raised and donated generous amounts of money to
various charities over the years through the Red Cross and
other major charitable organizations for things like diabetes
and cancer research, flood and earthquake victims, tsunami
relief, and many other humanitarian causes.
The ICCA also works to strengthen its ties within the community by sponsoring different athletic teams, having a
scholarship fund at the University of Victoria and hosting
cultural events, such as India Mela, Vaisakhi Celebration
and the ICCA Variety Show to showcase local talent.
ICCA Board of Directors
Mr. Paramjit S. Bhalla, Past President (Ex-officio member)
Mr. Gurdial Singh (Gordy) Dodd, President
Mr. Jagir S. Virk, Vice-President
Ms. Kamal Panesar, Secretary
Mr. Kanwaljit S. Kuckreja, Treasurer
Ms. Mano Sandhu, Director
Mr. Amit Dewett, Director (Youth)
Mr. Vikram Bawa , Director
Mr. Sunil Bhatia, Director
Mr. Sukhmeet Grewal, Director
Mr. Massa Singh, Director
www.iccavictoria.com
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Membership
We invite you all to become a member of the
India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria.
You will find information at the ICCA
kiosk or by asking one of our Mela volunteers.
For more information, visit: iccavictoria.com
You can also find us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/ICCAVictoria
And we meet in person as well!
…the old fashioned way, for a cup of tea.
And we want to hear from you!
Some of the events that the ICCA produced
or was involved with in 2014 include:
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Diwali Dinner & Dance
Family Picnic
Feedings at Our Place
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Walk for World Peace
ICCA Variety Show
India Mela
Kavi Darbar
Nepal Earthquake Fundraiser
Saanich Fair
Vaisakhi Celebration
Victoria Day Parade, Float
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Message from Chief Constable Frank Elsner
It is my honour to be included in this program for the 2015 India Mela.
This celebration of diversity and inclusivity is what makes communities strong
and healthy.
On behalf of the men and women of the Victoria Police Department, I applaud all
of the members of the India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria for their hard
work and dedication in making this event such as success year after year.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Elsner, Chief Constable
Victoria Police Department
2015 India Mela
2015 India Mela
Organising Commitee
Chair: Sabba Sall
Co-Chair: Vikram Bawa
Food Vendors:
Paramjit Bhalla, Vikram Bawa, Sunil Bhatia
Fundraising & Sponsorship Coordinators:
Sabba Sall, Gurdial Dodd, Sunil Bhatia, Vikram Bawa
MC Coordinator: Suneil Sall
Media & Printed Program Coordinators:
Amit Dewett, Serena Rai, Sabba Sall
Money Managers: Mano Sandhus
Music Coordinator: Anil Kapur
Programming Coordinators:
Anju Samra, Vikram Bawa, Jay Iyer, Raj Grewal
Venue Coordinators: Amarjit Bhalla, Kamal Panesar
Volunteer Coordination: Kalbir Parmah
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2015 India Mela
6
DON’T MISS
THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SEE HIGH ENERGY
AND ULTRA-TALENTED
SHIAMAK DAVAR TEAM
LIVE!
2015 India Mela Event Listing
7
Al Ahsan
Sidney, BC
Some of you may have spotted Al Ahsan at the local Night
Market — they’ve been a fixture since the beginning!
Along with more traditional Middle Eastern music and
folkloric dance styles, Al Ahsan performs a wide variety
of Middle Eastern & Western Fusion, Modern Egyptian,
glamorous cabaret numbers and even comedy routines.
They also teach at their Sidney Studio, offering regular
belly dance classes as well as specialty workshops.
As a troupe, they are well-known for their togetherness,
precision and of course the fabulous costumes designed
and created by their very own costume Goddess, MAYA.
Apna Virsa Dance Group
Victoria, BC
Apna Virsa means “our culture” in Punjabi, and we are
proud to be celebrating this, through dance.
We will be performing bhangra, giddha, bollywood,
haryanvi, rajasthani, and are dedicated to exhibiting the
energy and excitement that comes with it.
Since our humble beginnings in 2009, we have grown
enormously while adhering to our mission of exposing
the community to dance traditions and culture.
We love performing on the India Mela stage because we
can express our passion and talents here!
Asmira’s School of Oriental
Bellydance
Victoria, BC
Asmira’s School of Oriental Bellydance was founded
here in Victoria in 1987 by Artistic Director & Founder Asmira McConnell.
Dancers from the school have joyfully entertained audiences at festivals, private parties, weddings, birthdays,
theme parties and other festive occasions.
We welcome you to join us at our Annual Theatre shows
at the Metro, celebrating the Joys of Spring and the
Christmas Season. Classes are available for all ages, all
levels and all sizes in a convenient downtown Studio location.
www.asmiradance.com
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2015 India Mela Event Listing
Bollywood Beats
Victoria, BC
Directed by Yamini Iyer, Bollywood Beats is created to
spread the love of dance.
Inspired by Bollywood Cinema, these classes are based
on simple yet exciting steps to keep you on your toes.
Our goal is to infuse traditional Indian dance styles with
a modern form, which helps us keep the eastern and
western cultures together.
Bollywood Dance is very popular around the world, and
Bollywood Beats is the first to offer classes in Victoria.
If you would like to join our classes and experience the
magic of Bollywood, please get in touch with us:
www.bollywoodbeatsvictoria.com
Dance with Meet
Surrey, BC
Dance with Meet started in November 2008, mostly as
volunteer work for helping ladies learn dance or as a
workout or stress buster.
Since November 2009 Dance with Meet has been providing Bhangra workout classes in the Fit For Women
Gym in Surrey, BC.
Come check us out!
Furusato Dancers
Victoria, BC
The Furusato Dancers perform traditional and contemporary Japanese folk dances called Odori. These are either national folk dances or regional dances which are
performed at festivals and on special occasions throughout Japan.
The Furusato Dancers is led by their Sensei Tatsumi
Yoshikiyo who received her professional designation
from the Tatsumi Ryo Dance School in Tokyo in 1970.
The group has performed for a variety of private and
public events throughout Vancouver Island since 2006
and has received several ethnic dancing awards.
2015 India Mela Event Listing
9
Harmony Belly Dance Company
Victoria, BC
Directed by Candace Aldridge Sanchez, Harmony Belly
Dance Company offers classes from Level I through to
Level 3, belly dance boot camp and the authentic teachings of American Tribal Styles.
Celebrating her fourteenth year of belly dancing, and
eleventh year of instructing, Candace focuses on building and teaching a solid dance form and foundation, and
integrates all styles into her dance: tribal fusion, dramatic
fusion, contemporary American tribal style and more.
www.harmonybellydance.com
Isabel’s Zumba Cuban Troupe
Victoria, BC
This group performs Latin dance with Cuban style, and,
they offer Zumba Dance Classes.
Zumba dancing is very easy to follow and in addition you
will learn Latin and International dances.
Zumba is a party and in parties we don’t make fun —we
only have fun!
If you like to live with joy and happiness come try a
Zumba class.
To learn more or join Zumba classes see our website:
www.isabelfitness.com
Kathak Dancer, Neha Munshi
Vancouver, BC
Kathak is an Indian style of classical dance from the
northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Katha means story
telling, so Kathak dancers tell Indian epics through
dance.
This style evolved as a pure entertainment form in the
Royal Courts and has since evolved more as an expression of movement and rhythm — although the storytelling aspect is still an important part.
The main characteristics of Kathak are rhythmic movements and patterns, sudden poses, footwork and spins.
A typical Kathak dancer also uses torso, wrists, neck
and eyes to express movements and hand mudras are
used for expression.
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2015 India Mela Performance S
Friday
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
12:15 PM
12:30 PM
12:45 PM
1:00 PM
1:15 PM
1:30 PM
1:45 PM
2:00 PM
2:15 PM
2:30 PM
2:45 PM
3:00 PM
3:15 PM
3:30 PM
3:45 PM
4:00 PM
4:15 PM
4:30 PM
4:45 PM
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
5:30 PM
5:45 PM
6:00 PM
6:15 PM
6:30 PM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
7:15 PM
7:30 PM
Saturday
Opening Ceremonies
Apna Virsa – Giddha
Mast Mayuri
Mast Mayuri
Uminari Taiko – Japanese Drummers
Uminari Taiko – Japanese Drummers
Bollywood Beats
Ocean Rain
Shiamak Dance Academy
Shiamak Dance Academy
Kathak – Neha Munshi
Apna Virsa – Bollywood
Dance with Meet – Giddha
Salsa Dance (Calientedance )
Asmira (Belly Dancing)
Asmira (Belly Dancing)
Bollywood Beats
Furusato – Japenese Dance
Radhika – Veil Dance
Shiamak Dance Academy
Al Ahsan Dancers
Al Ahsan Dancers
Al Ahsan Dancers
Apna Virsa – Bollywood
Apna Virsa – Junior Girls
Indian Music Interlude
Indian Music Interlude
Indian Music Interlude
Dance with Meet – Giddha
Indian Music Interlude
Ram Taderpati – Instrumental
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Zumba – Isabel
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Zumba – Isabel
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Zumba – Isabel
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Apna Virsa – dance to Duet song
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Apna Virsa – dance to Pahari Song
Shan-e-Punjab
VFCA – Filipino Sampaguita Dancers
Apna Virsa
Bollywood Beats
Shiamak Dance Academy
Bollywood Beats
Maya – Fusion Dance
Apna Virsa – Bhangra + folk dance to Khoo Song
Apna Virsa – Folk Dance
Punjabi duet dance
A-Slam
Radhika – Veil Dance
A-Slam
Apna Virsa – Giddha
A-Slam
A-Slam
Schedule
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Sunday
Vinod Bhardwaj & Friends
Apna Virsa – Junior Co-ed
Little Bird Group
Apna Virsa – dance to Shokan Mela Dee
Apna Virsa – Junior Boys Group
Salsa Caliente
Radhika – Veil Dance
Bollywood Beats
Ocean Rain
Mast Mayuri – Bollywood Dance
VFCA – Filipino Sampaguita Dancers
Al Ahsan Dancers
Al Ahsan Dancers
Apna Virsa – dance to Mixed Songs
Apna Virsa – Junior Co-ed
Ram Taderpati – Instrumental
Bollywood Beats
Lilia’s Polynesian Dancers
Lilia’s Polynesian Dancers
Harmony Belly Dancing
Harmony Belly Dancing
Apna Virsa – Junior Girls Bhangra
Apna Virsa – Middle Boys
Mast Mayuri
Shan-e-Punjab
Nalini – Bharatnatyam
Apna Virsa – Senior Boys Bhangra
Zumba – Isabel
Zumba – Isabel
Apna Virsa – Bhangra by Senior Co-ed
Shan-e-Punjab
A-Slam
A-Slam
A-Slam
A-Slam
A-Slam
A-Slam
A-Slam
DJ A-SLAM
Vancouver, BC
DJ A-SLAM is a Juno nominated artist, DJ, and producer
who mixes Top 40, EDM and Hip-Hop.
He has been a favourite at the India Mela every year for
the past four years.
He first made a name for himself in the World Music market fusing hype beats with Indian influences — now he’s
taking his sound mainstream, releasing high energy
mixes.
www.facebook.com/deejayaslam
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2015 India Mela Event Listing
Lilia’s Polynesian Dance Company
Victoria, BC
Under the direction of Lilia Peterson, Lilia’s Polynesian
Dance Company has been entertaining audiences on
Vancouver Island, British Columbia for over 20 years.
The spectacular, high quality, and professional shows
feature award winning dancers in authentic traditional
costumes delighting their audiences with the sights and
sounds of Polynesia.
Students of all ages and all levels are welcome to learn
the authentic songs and dances of Hawaii, New Zealand,
Samoa, Cook Islands and Tahiti.
Lilia is an accomplished professional dancer, winning
many awards in national and international competitions.
The ICCA celebrates diversity.
2015 India Mela Event Listing
13
Mast Mayuri
Victoria, BC
Mast Mayuri was formed by Sangita Sharma.
She and her friends Dipti, Jaspreet, Deepika, Archuna
and Meena are from various regions of India. They have
come together to express their love of dance and Indian
culture.
Bollywood was part of their lives growing up, and remains so. They are ecstatic to be performing as a group,
for the first time, at the India Mela!
They will perform dances that are frequently showcased
at various Indian seasonal festivals, along with a Bollywood number.
MAYA
Victoria, BC
This Victoria-based, Indian fusion dance group will be
showcasing a collage of popular Indian classical dance
forms, from Bharathanatyam to Kathak to Odissi.
These are three of seven traditional art forms rooted in
sacred Hindu musical theatre styles that can be traced
to the Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni (400 BC) — and
the aim of MAYA is to promote these dances through a
single piece, showcasing the differences and similarities
of these respected dance forms.
MAYA is proud to present an Indian classical fusion
dance performance at the Sixth Annual India Mela 2015
in Victoria.
Nalini
Victoria, BC
Nalini's cultural background in dance, music and art is
strongly influenced by her birthplace Calcutta, India.
She will be performing to the Bollywood song, Radha
Kesai Na Jale.
Her choreography is inspired by her years of formal training in Bharathanatyam and passion to narrate stories
from the popular epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
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2015 India Mela Event Listing
Ocean Rain
Victoria, BC
Ocean and Rain Lu are professionally-trained Chinese
Ethnic and Classical dancers. They have many years of
prefessional training and experience in performing,
teaching and choreography. Together, they are devoted
to promoting Chinese dance arts and are determined to
introduce the real beauty of Chinese performing arts.
Recently, Ocean and Rain have become certified teachers of Chinese Dance Examinations Syllabus (CDES)
from Bejing Dance Academy.
CDES is recognized by the BC Ministry of Education —
who awards CDES students with 12 credits to meet their
fine arts and/or applied skills graduation requirement.
www.oceanrain.ca
The ICCA celebrates community.
2015 India Mela Event Listing
15
Radhika Menon
Victoria, BC
Originally from Uganda, Radhika is a UVic student in her
final Undergraduate year in Chemistry.
She loves to make make her own cosmetics and do research in this field.
When not studying she is playing soccer, swimming and
doing other sports to remain fit.
Radhika has led an adventurous life,having living in
countries such as Haiti, India and Mozambique. Living
in these places has shaped the person she is today.
Ram Tadeparti
Victoria, BC
A recognized Bansuri (Flute) player in the Hindustani
(North Indian) classical music genre, Ram is also versatile in other musical instruments such as Harmonica and
Keyboard, and in other musical genres too — such as
Bollywood classical/semi-classical music.
He performs Western classical music on Grand Piano
and Harmonica and has worked and performed with
renowned Indian classical musicians and classical
dancers.
Locally, Ram has given several classical music performances on Bansuri (Flute) and other instruments at major
events and venues.
Salsa Claiente
Victoria, BC
Caliente Dance, directed by WSU certified instructorChristina Morrison, offers dance lessons and performance opportunities for all ages and levels here in Victoria.
Known for their professionalism, dedication, and positive
attitude, their top dancers have been touring internationally for over 10 years, with performances in Italy, Puerto
Rico, New York, Chicago, Mexico and more! They have
also represented Canada in the World Salsa Open
Championships and have appeared in music videos, and
on stage, with some of the top Salsa bands and dancers
in the world.
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2015 India Mela Event Listing
Shan-e-Punjab
Victoria, BC
Shan-e-Punjab Dance: Performing Arts and Heritage
School has been part of Victoria and Vancouver Island
for 23 years. We marked our 20th year celebration in the
presence of the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant
Governor of BC, at UVic with 200 performers.
Our program is an avenue for learning culture and sharing that culture with others — a program for youth, lead
by youth, and open to everyone. Many scholarships
have been achieved and many students have progressed in their professional careers.
In this photograph, taken at the Vancouver International
Bhangra Celebration (VIBC), are advanced students as
well as teachers.
www.members.shaw.ca/shan-e-punjab/home.htm
The ICCA celebrates youth.
2015 India Mela Event Listing
17
DON’T MISS A
RARE CHANCE TO SEE
THE HIGH ENERGY
AND ULTRA-TALENTED
SHIAMAK DAVAR TEAM
LIVE!
Shiamak Davar
Vancouver, BC
Singer, choreographer, performing artist Shiamak
Davar is known as the Guru of Dance in india.
He is largely responsible for modernizing India’s dance
scene, especially in the film and theatre industry.
With the motto Have Feet. Will DanceTM Shiamak Davar
International is the world’s biggest dance academy —
enriching the lives of over a million dance enthusiasts
across India, Canada, Australia, the UAE and the UK.
Spreading the joy of dance to ages four to eighty four,
the faculty teaches Shiamak’s original dance styles including Shiamak Style (Contemporary), Shiamak’s Bollywood Jazz™, Shabop (Hip Hop & Street Funk) and
Shiamak’s Yoga — Inner Dance Movement, amongst
many others.
www.shiamak.com
18
2015 India Mela Event Listing
Uminari Taiko
Victoria, BC
Uminari Taiko is Vancouver Island’s first Taiko drumming
ensemble.
Its mission is to share and promote the art of Japanese
Taiko drumming through teaching and performance.
Uminari is a Japanese word that can be translated as
“roaring sea”— the sound of the crashing waves and the
silence in between. It is a name that captures equally the
essence of Taiko and of our windy, wave-swept island.
Since it’s founding in 2002, Uminari Taiko has performed
at numerous schools, festivals and holiday events both
public and private functions, in Victoria and around Vancouver Island.
www.uminaritaiko.com
VFCA – Sampaguita Dancers
Victoria, BC
The VFCA - Victoria Filipino Community Association's
dance group, Sampaguita, has taken part in various
events over the past 30 years.
Currently there are two groups of performers: the junior
dancers are 3–9 years old and intermediate dancers are
10–18 years old.
Each year we try to highlight different aspects of our
multi-faceted Philippine culture, such as rural dances,
Muslim suites, Spanish influenced, and mountain/tribal
dances.
For more information, contact Jhoanna,Stephanie or
Lizel:
pinoydancing@gmail.com
Vinod K. Bhardwaj & friends
Victoria, BC
Vinod Bhardwaj is a musician and poet whose performs
under the name Nashad Raza Jaunpuri.
He can play the bansuri, sitar, tabla, harmonium and express himself in the medium of Urdu Shayari.
He was invited to recite at the famous Shankar Shaad
Mushaira in 1995, and the Ghalib Yaadgar Mushaira in
1998 and 1999.
Vinod performed at the World Bank in Washington on the
occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in 1999.
He was inducted into the Edmonton Arts and Culture
Hall of Fame in 2008 and Folkways Alive at the University
of Alberta has archived Vinod’s work.
www.vinodbhardwaj.com
2015 India Mela
19
The ICCA is blessed to have terrific support from the municipal and
provincial governments, plus several local business — and our untiring
legion of volunteers.We send out a great big thank you to everyone who
had a hand in the organization of this year’s Mela. You’re the best!
Lon
ndon Rooter
G
GOBIND
FA
ARMS
2015 India Mela Kiosks
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You’ll find kiosks with representatives for these groups,
companies, and activities at Centennial Square, during
the 2015 India Mela:
Arts & Crafts
Bell Canada
Dewachen Healing
Diversity Committee Police
First Aid
Gobind Farms
Henna & Threading
ICA (Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria)
ICCA Membership Booth
India Clothes & Jewellery
Information
Lost and Found
Magician
Face Painting
Masala Bites
Mithai
Palm Reading & Astrology
Pashmina
Pizza & Beverage
Pop Corn
Saaj
Save on Foods
Seniors Booth
Sprott Shaw College
Varsha
The ICCA
celebrates India.
2015 India Mela
The ICCA thanks YOU!
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