Jai Govinda Dance Academy class: multimedia
A collection of the Vancouver Observer's photos and audio from an Indian classical dance class at Mandala Arts and Culture Society taught by director Jai Govinda.
This multi-media presentation focuses on a class at Jai Govinda Dance Academy in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Director Jai Govinda leads his students through a physically rigorous and deeply spiritual dance training. The Indian classical dance, bharata natyam, was originally performed in Hindu temples and has its roots in prayer. Rhythmic and vigorous, yet graceful and deeply spiritual, bharata natyam was originally performed in temples by devotees. It has its roots in prayer. The form takes students many years of training to perfect.
Govinda trained with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. He then studied bhrata natyam with a variety of masters of the form. Has has performed as a bharata natyam soloist for the last thirty years.
The academy offers weekly group bharata natyam and yoga classes. Students from beginning to professional dance at the school.