Charcha: A Community Gathering for South Asian Dance and Music Practitioners

About the Facilitators:

Arno Kamolika

Arno (she/her) is a BC-based dancer, choreographer, musician and teacher whose art bridges tradition, community work and innovation. Deeply rooted in the classical language of Bharatnatyam, she draws upon diverse disciplines—music, theatre, mime, and design—to shape her choreographic voice. Arno is a passionate educator with over two decades of experience, who intends to create a holistic approach of learning dance through exposure to music, theatre or any other discipline that promotes curiosity and a compassionate learning environment.

Raneeta Gopal, RCC

Raneeta is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Raneeta has over fifteen years of experience working in the mental health field ranging from social work to individual counselling and group therapy. In the last few years, she has also dedicated time to adult education through her teaching roles at a Naturopathic College, Crisis Line and most recently at the Adler University as Adjunct Faculty. In these various roles as a helper and an instructor, she had the privilege of working with diverse populations presenting with myriad life circumstances. Raneeta also has a background in various dance forms; and spent several years training and later teaching Bharata Natyam Dance in Vancouver.

Vidya Kotamraju

Vidya is a dance choreographer, performer, and educator based in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. With more than thirty years of practice, she is the founder of House of Indian Dance (HOID), where she leads training, presentation, and artist development in Bharatanatyam. She has served on the boards of New Works and Mandala Arts and Culture, and is a recipient of the Shade of Hope Award. Her work as a facilitator is grounded in building lasting, caring relationships within the dance community.