Celebrating Indian Culture in Finland and Estonia
A Catalogue of Artists
FOREWORD BY AMBASSADOR OF INDIA A warm welcome to the enthusiasts of Indian culture in Finland and Estonia! It is with great pleasure that I present to you a catalogue of talented artists practising different Indian art forms in Finland and Estonia. Under the banner of Kala Sangam (literally ‘a confluence of art forms’), you will find groups and solo artists of different styles in the fields of music and dance. Whether you are looking for an artist to perform, a group to join or an art form to learn, we hope this catalogue will bring India closer to you. Indian culture needs no introduction. Through the numerous yoga studios and delectable cuisine, the amazing kaleidoscope of music and dance forms, and through its impressive art and architecture, Indian culture resonates across the world. Unsurprisingly, the people in Finland and Estonia have great admiration for the expressive and inspiring art forms of India. They have become inspired by it first-hand through their own travels in India, and indirectly through media. In Finland and Estonia, the active and growing Indian diaspora and Finnish/Estonian experts who have learned directly from maestros in India, have brought Indian art forms closer to home. It is now possible to enjoy and learn various Indian art forms from artists based in Finland and Estonia. I welcome you to use the catalogue as a reference for connecting with the artists. Discover new experiences and expand your horizons!
1 January, 2021 Raveesh Kumar Ambassador of India to Finland and Estonia Contents
DANCE 4 Groups 5 Alpana Dance Group 6 DanceAct Bollywood Show 7 Dance Studio Amrita 8 Etnica 9 Fusia Performing Arts 10 House of Dance Tampere 11 Ilona Kolachana Dance & Bollywood Kamlees 12 Lotus - Indian Dance Centre Finland 13 Mallikai 14 Mudra Dance Group 15 Nach Baliye Kollektiv 16 Nach Mayuri 17 Pistah Boys and Girls 18 PureNach 19 Royal Bollywood 20 Sonar Bangla 21 Sri Sai Pranava Academy of Arts 22 Åbolly Dancers / Åbolly Dance School 23 Solo Artists 24 Ann Ojala 25 Gayathri Menon 26 Hanna Mannila 27 Ilona Prasher 28 Kati Viitanen 29 Laura Kunnas 30 Lyailya Yaman 31 Mikaela Jokinen 32 Olga Sharma 33 Sanna Laine 34 Selsi Pattanaik 35 Shreya Saha 36 Sujitha Ravi 37 Tapolina Jha 38 Vasantha Ghadiyaram 39 Venu Madhuri Voleti (Iruku) 40
Music 41 Groups 42 BOMBILLAZ 43 Fusion Stage 44 Sargam Band 45 Shankara 46 Shava 47 Trio Sahrami 48 Solo Artists 49 Amrita Chakrabarty 50 Antti Ohenoja 51 Lari Aaltonen 52 Nanda Kumar 53 Sharon Ben-Dor 54 Siddharth Rao 55
Index of Art Styles 56 DANCE Groups Alpana Dance Group
Style: Bollywood Activity: Teaching, performances Since: 2013 Founded by: Maria Temonen Based in: Lahti, Finland
Alpana Dance Group was founded in Lahti in 2013. The group includes seven dancers and the choreographer is Maria Temonen. Maria studied Indian and oriental dance in St. Petersburg, Russia in the Joy of Life, one of the oldest dance groups practicing Indian dances in Russia. Her current troupe, Alpana Dance Group participates in annual Indian dance events in Finland. In 2017, they were part of the opening concert of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. In 2019, they came second in the Indian dance festival, an international dance competition in Tampere. It is important for the group to make each dance performance a unique show. They focus on the big picture, meaning that the choice of music, movements, costumes and jewellery are all carefully thought out. The choreographies draw inspiration from Bollywood movies and Indian classical dance styles. Contact Instagram: alpanadance Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 279 9051
6 DanceAct Bollywood Show Style: Bollywood Activity: Teaching (beginners and intermediate), performances Since: 2011 Founded by: Jamila Based in: Tallinn, Estonia
The founder of DanceAct Bollywood Show, Jamila, started learning the classical South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam in Dance Studio Amrita in 1996. Over the years, she attended workshops by many renowned teachers, such as Syed Sallauddin Pasha, Malini Srinivasan, Anusha Subramanyam etc. In 2011, Jamila started teaching Bollywood style at DanceAct dance studio. Since then, she has learned Kathak, Bhangra, Kalbeliya and other styles from Hemant Devara in India.
DanceAct Bollywood Show can be hired for performances of different types as they have both Indian folk and movie songs in their repertoire. Their high energy will guarantee a fun experience for the audience. The group performed in the music video Saaremaa for the Estonian band ÖÖ featuring Killbaba. In addition to regular performances, Jamila can also be hired to create a short Bollywood style dance routine for the people attending the event, for example weddings or birthdays.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanceActBollywoodShow Email: [email protected]
7 Dance Studio Amrita Style: Bharatanatyam Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performances Since: 1984 Founded by: Irina Jankevich Based in: Tallinn, Estonia
Dance Studio Amrita is run by Helen Geršman and Ruth Maria Roosi-Ott. Over the past 35 years, their teachers and students have learned from many prominent teachers in private classes and workshops, including Chitra Visweshwaran, Leela Ramanathan, Sarasvati Sundareshani, Surya N. Rao, Anusha Subramanyam, Malini Srinivasan, Parshwanath Upadhye, Janaki Rangarajan, Padmaja Suresh and many more. Amrita took first and second place in the National Dances category of the Estrada and National Dances Festival in 2015 and 2017 respectively.
Contact Website: www.amrita.ee Facebook: www.facebook.com/Amrita-Tantsustuudio-168646316545254 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +372 53 010 223
8 Etnica Style: Bollywood, Lavani, Odissi, Kalbeliya, Garba, Bhangra, belly dance, Bellywood, semi-classical Kathak, Koli, Kuthu, contemporary, show Activity: Teaching Bollywood (all levels), Odissi (beginners), other styles (beginners, intermediate) Since: 2007 Founded by: Mikaela Jokinen Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Etnica is one of the more well-known groups in Finland that represent different ethnic dance styles. They have won several competitions in Finland and abroad, such as Ourvision Goes Dancing in 2010. The group has performed some colourful choreographies: sassy Bollywood, sensual Lavani, energetic Bhangra, groovy Garba and earthy Kalbeliya dances. Adding modern dance and belly dance to their repertoire has earned them wide recognition. Etnica strives to keep challenging themselves and working hard, without forgetting fun and laughter.
Contact Website: www.etnica.fi Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dance-Group-Etnica-160519997365340 Instagram: dancegroupetnica Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 303 1329
9 Fusia Performing Arts Style: Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Keralanadanam, semi-classical, Bollywood, semi-classical Kathak, South Indian folk, Kollywood Activity: Teaching (all levels, both kids and adults), performances, workshops Since: 2015 Founded by: Gayathri Menon, Kati Viitanen, Sujitha Ravi Based in: Tampere and Helsinki, Finland
Fusia Performing Arts focuses on raising awareness of Indian culture and dance forms. The classes offered by Fusia range from modern styles, such as Bollywood, Kollywood and semi-classical dance, to folk styles from North to South and ancient classical dance forms, such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Keralanadanam.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/fusiaperformingarts/ Instagram: fusiaperformingarts Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 45 169 8556
10 House of Dance Tampere Style: Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood, semi-classical, dancehall, salsa, reggaeton, bachata, twerk, street and hip-hop Activity: Teaching, performances, workshops Since: 2009 Founded by: Daniel Paul Based in: Tampere, Finland
The founder of House of Dance, Daniel Paul, has learned dance under the guidance of Mr. John Britto in India. He has performed in over a thousand shows all over the world and trained over 10 000 students in his career. His school House of Dance has 10 years of experience of performing in Finland and abroad. It has over 12 dance styles and over 200 students taught by 10 teachers and visiting international guest stars. The team also hosts the biggest Indian dance festival in the Nordics. Daniel competed in Dancing with the Stars India, and his group was a grand finalist and semi-finalist in Finland’s Got Talent in 2012 and 2016 respectively. They have performed in TV shows and theatres and worked with numerous Finnish celebrities, Daniel also with Indian film stars.
Contact Website: www.houseofdance.fi Facebook: www.facebook.com/Houseofdancefinland Instagram: houseofdancefi Phone: +358 40 182 1189
11 Ilona Kolachana Dance & Bollywood Kamlees Style: Semi-classical, folk style Bollywood dance, Rajasthani folk, gypsy dances Activity: Teaching, performances, workshops Since: 2015 Founded by: Ilona Kolachana Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Ilona has learned Kathak with Hanna Mannila in Finland and with Sushmita Gosh and Hemant Devara in India in 2013-2020. She has learned Rajasthani dances with Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan musicians and Kalbeliya dances in Jaipur, Hungary and Pushkar. Ilona was a guest teacher at the international Bollywood and Multicultural Festival in Athens, Greece in 2019, and has been invited to teach at India Dance Days in Hamburg, Germany in 2021. Bollywood Kamlees has been offering weekly classes since 2012 as well as workshops, solo and group performances at events and festivals in Finland and abroad. The group was the winner of the group category of Europe’s Next Bollywood Star competition in Frankfurt in 2015. They have also performed in several Finnish TV productions in 2014-2015.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/IlonaKolachanaDance Instagram: ilonakolachana Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 381 3153
12 Lotus Indian Dance Centre Finland ry Style: Bhangra, Bharatanatyam, Bollywood, Kathak, Rajasthani dance Activity: Teaching (all levels), performances Since: 2008 Founded by: Sari Breilin, Katri Prusila Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Lotus Indian Dance Centre Finland ry is a Helsinki-based association that promotes Indian dance styles through courses, workshops, performances and events. The school offers regular classes and intensive courses in various Indian dance styles, e.g. Bollywood, Indian classical and folk dances, as well as contemporary fusion styles. Their groups also perform regularly at cultural events. Lotus Indian Dance Centre was formerly known as Bolly Beat Dancers and Bolly Beat Dance School. The teachers are Alessia Dal Bo’, Mikaela Jokinen, Ilona Kolachana, Laura Kunnas, Sanna Laine, Hanna Mannila, Ann Ojala and Kati Viitanen.
Contact Website: www.lotusindiandance.fi Facebook: www.facebook.com/LotusIndianDanceCentre Instagram: lotusindiandance Email: [email protected]
Photography by Sudhanshu Verma & Ilkka Roitto.
13 Mallikai Style: Bharatanatyam Activity: Performances, teaching, workshops, lecture demonstrations Since: 2020 Founded by: Ann Ojala Based in: Helsinki, Finland Mallikai is a Bharatanatyam dance group operating under Lotus Indian Dance Centre Finland ry. Mallikai stands for jasmine in Tamil, the flower that adorns a Bharanatyam dancer’s hair.
The group consists of Bharatanatyam teachers and advanced students of Lotus, who have been practicing the dance form for several years. Their interest and skill in the art form have grown over time. Mallikai was formed in 2020, based on a desire to learn more and introduce Bharatanatyam to a wider audience. Mallikai is led by Ann Ojala and her senior student Laura Kunnas, who have been active in learning, teaching and performing the art form since 1998 and 2011 respectively.
Contact Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 41 522 9105
Photography by Markku Verkasalo (middle), Sudhanshu Verma (bottom left), Jaana Tihtonen (upper right corner), Matti Lipponen (bottom), Vikas Gupta (others).
14 Mudra Dance Group Style: Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and semi-classical dances Since: 2011 Founded by: Gayathri Menon, Nithya Sailesh Based in: Tampere and Helsinki, Finland Mudra Dance Group, also known as Fusia Mudra Crew, is a dance institution dedicated to the education, promotion, and encouragement of Indian classical dance forms Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and semi-classical dances. Mudra collaborates with Fusia Performing Arts. The group has created outstanding choreographies, such as an interpretation of the Finnish epic Kalevala in four classical Indian dance forms. Combining Indian classical dance and Finnish music or Indian rock has also earned them praise at numerous events. The group has performed at various events in Finland such as Spectacular India, India Day, and Matka travel fair. Gayathri conducts weekly classes at Helsinki and Tampere with about 100 students learning different dance styles at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Contact Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mudra-Dance-Group-Fusia-Mudra- Crew-248441595255148 Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 45 169 8556
15 Nach Baliye Kollektiv Style: Bollywood, Lavani, Garba, Rajasthani folk and Ghoomar, Indian fusion, Bollycommercial Activity: Teaching, performances Since: 2018 Founded by: Mari Moilanen, Saija Heinonen Based in: Turku, Finland Nach Baliye Kollektiv (= dancing buddies) is a collective-based dance group with its own dance studio, Tanssisali Voisilmä, in Turku. The group pursues a variety of Indian styles from folk dances to Bollywood and Kollywood, fusing them with styles like vogue, commercial and contemporary, and adding a bit of goofing off to their unique style. The group has four members: Mari Moilanen, Saija Heinonen, Sanna Soni and Emma Vironmäki. They have learned Indian dances from teachers around the world; Sanna and Saija also multiple times in India. The choreographies are created by the group members themselves.
Contact Website: www.nachbaliye.fi Facebook: www.facebook.com/nachbaliyekollektiv Instagram: nachbaliyekollektiv Youtube: Nach Baliye Kollektiv Email: [email protected]
16 Nach Mayuri Style: Bhangra, Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Rajasthani folk, Dandiya Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performances, workshops, collaborations Since: 2014 Founded by: Ilona Prasher Based in: Helsinki and Kouvola, Finland Ilona Prasher and Olga Sharma are teachers at the Nach Mayuri dance school. They learned Indian dances in the dance group Mayuri in Petrozavodsk, Russia, under the guidance of Vera Evgrafova, who has been awarded the title of Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Karelia. Nach Mayuri participates regularly in different festivals and contests, and has received several awards along the way. Among them are GranPrix at Tampere international dance contest in 2019, 1st level laureates at Art Planet Festival 2018 in Turku and GranPrix at Art Planet Festival 2020 in Helsinki.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nach-Mayuri-1522771317743242 Instagram: nach_mayuri Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 40 156 3966, +358 46 623 8908
17 Pistah Boys and Girls Style: South Indian folk, Kollywood, Bollywood, fusion Activity: Performances, choreographing, workshops and teaching of South Indian folk, Bollywood Since: 2014 Founded by: Vimal Raj Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Pistah Boys and Girls is a group of dancers from different cultural and dance backgrounds. Most of the dancers are self-taught, and a few of them are trained in multiple dance forms. They have studied dance in different dance schools in India and Finland. The group is managed by Praniesh Ramachandran and Sirapa Shrestha. Pistah Boys and Girls was formed from a group of people with love and passion for South Indian folk dance and cinema. They aim to introduce different kinds of Indian dance forms as well as fusion dance to their audiences, and gain visibility for these styles in Finland.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/pistahboysfinland Email: [email protected]
18 PureNach Style: Fusion of Bhangra, Giddha, Bollywood Activity: Performances, online videos Since: 2017 Founded by: Karina Mokha, Rania Mokha Based in: Helsinki, Finland
PureNach was founded by two sisters, Karina Mokha and Rania Mokha, sharing a love and passion for dance. It has been running for a few years now, and the duo has social media pages where their dance videos can be viewed. The focus is mainly on different Indian dance styles but Karina and Rania also seek to add Western styles to the mix. Their main styles are Bhangra, Giddha and Bollywood.
Karina and Rania are self-taught dancers and have been performing across Europe. They can be hired for performances, workshops, collaborations and dance classes.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/purenach Instagram: purenach Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 45 238 7942, +358 45 236 6875
19 Royal Bollywood Style: Bollywood, Modern Bollywood, Bollywood fusion, Bollywood contemporary, classical and semi-classical, classical mix, Kathak fusion, Indian folk, modern and mix Bhangra Activity: Workshops, teaching, performances Since: 2008 Founded by: Rumpa Saha Based in: Helsinki, Finland Royal Bollywood Dance Group was established in 2008 and has since been offering dance courses and performances in Finland. The group has dancers of different ages and backgrounds and aims to integrate Finnish and Indian cultures. The founder, Rumpa Saha, started dancing at five years old and obtained a classical diploma with distinction in Kathak when she was under 17 years old. She is also trained in other regional folk dances such as Odissi and Manipuri, and in many Western styles. She loves to create and experiment with the new Bollywood mix style, which is reflected in her choreographies. She has performed as a jury in different dance competitions in Finland.
Contact Website: royalbollywood.wixsite.com/royalbollywood Facebook: www.facebook.com/royalbollywood Instagram: royalbollywooddg Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 45 204 4124
20 Sonar Bangla Style: Semi-classical, semi-classical Kathak, Bollywood, regional folk Activity: Performances Since: 2016 Founded by: Shreya Saha, Dolon Roy Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Sonar Bangla performs actively at various events in Finland. They consist of independent Indian dancers with diverse dance backgrounds. They seek to perform to songs with a profound meaning. The group does not follow a strict classical style but instead breaks the stylized structure of classical dances into less intricate, creative-contemporary forms. By focusing on rhythm, expression and story-telling, they maintain the ethos and authenticity of Indian dance. Some previous themes include “Panchtatva” (five elements of the world), women’s empowerment, joy of freedom and Bengali folk. They are specialised in various Bengali folk dances.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sonar-Bangla-107958817248581 Instagram: sonabangla_official Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 235 3408
21 Sri Sai Pranava Academy of Arts Style: Kuchipudi Activity: Teaching, performances Since: 2015 Founded by: Vasantha Ghadiyaram (Chivukula), Madhuri Voleti Based in: Espoo, Finland
The academy was established in 2015 to promote the ancient Indian dance form Kuchipudi by dance enthusiasts Vasantha and Madhuri. Kuchipudi is one of the major Indian classical dance forms, originating from southern India. It highlights the dance drama tradition of Indian classical dance, portrays social issues, while solo performances and other special compositions highlight the breadth and intricacies of the art form. The teaching starts with the basics and advances to stage performances. No previous dancing background is needed and the training can be taken up at any age. The group has performed in multiple cultural events in Helsinki area. Currently lessons are conducted in Espoo.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sri-Sai-Pranava-Academy-of- Arts-455928628087744 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 50 469 3234, +358 44 345 5996 22 Åbolly Dancers / Åbolly Dance School Style: Bollywood Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate and advanced, both kids and adults), performances Since: 2015 Founded by: Teija Ahola Based in: Turku, Finland
The founder of Åbolly, Teija Ahola, has danced her whole life, specialising in different ethnical dance forms such as oriental dance and flamenco. She has pursued Indian dances for more than ten years, taken private lessons and participated in workshops in many countries. She started teaching Bollywood dance in 2009 and founded Åbolly in 2015. Åbolly Dancers is a dance group formed of advanced level students. They have placed well in competitions: for example in their first competition in 2017 they were named the media’s favourite. In 2018 they won the group category of the Europe’s Biggest Bollywood Dance Competition.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/abollydancers, www.facebook.com/ bollywoodiaturussa Instagram: abollydancers, abollydanceschool Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 50 520 0463
23 Solo Artists Ann Ojala Style: Bharatanatyam Activity: Performances, teaching, workshops, lecture demonstrations Since: 1998 Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Ann Ojala started her Bharatanatyam studies in 1998 at Amrita’s dance school, Estonia, under the guidance of Pille Roosi. During the years she has learnt from many great teachers and participated in master classes by world-famous Bharatanatyam practitioners. She has participated in workshops in Estonia, Finland, Italy and Latvia and taken private classes from Anusha Subramanyam and Harini Chari in Finland, and from Kalarani Ramachandran in India. Ann has been teaching Bharatanatyam at the Lotus Indian Dance Centre Finland ry since 2009 and her students have performed in Finland and abroad. Together with Laura Kunnas, she has launched a performing Bharatanatyam dance group Mallikai under Lotus. She likes the process of learning and teaching dance: the world of myths and traditions of the Indian culture gradually unfolding through dance. Ann shares her time between Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia.
Contact Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Photography by Markku Verkasalo (left). Photography by Sudhanshu Verma (right).
25 Gayathri Menon Style: Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Keralanadanam, semi-classical dance Activity: Teaching (all levels, both children and adults), performances, workshops Since: 2015 Based in: Tampere, Finland Gayathri is a versatile dancer and choreographer with extensive experience in Indian dance styles. At the age of five, Gayathri begun learning Kathakali from Shri Kalamandalam Manoj Kumar and Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam from Smt Kalakshetra Pushpalatha. She has performed on numerous stages both in Finland and India. She is the founder of Fusia Crew Mudra, which teaches and performs Indian classical dance styles. She has also taught Kathakali courses at the University of the Arts Helsinki and held workshops at Finnish libraries and schools. Gayathri has received the awards Young Talented Artist Award by South Zone Cultural Center, GoI, and Dr. Akavoor Narayanan Memorial Award for Kathakali.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/fusiaperformingarts Instagram: gayathrioninsta Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 45 169 8556
26 Hanna Mannila Style: Kathak Activity: Teaching (all levels), performances Since: 2001 Based in: Helsinki, Finland Hanna has been dancing the Indian classical dance Kathak for over twenty years. She started her training in Agra, India, in 1998 with Raashi Johri, but received her main training at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London, finishing her three-year Kathak diploma with distinction in 2001. Her main Kathak teachers in London were Sushmita Ghosh and Abhay Shankar Mishra, but she has also attended numerous workshops by other well-known Kathak artists. She worked in London as a freelance dancer and teacher for ten years, performing with several Kathak dance groups in the UK, India, Europe and the US. She has been teaching Kathak also after moving back to Finland in 2011 and is currently teaching at Lotus Indian Dance Centre Finland. She is also working on her PhD on a Kathak-related topic at the University of Helsinki. Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/LotusIndianDanceCentre, www.facebook.com/ hanna.mannila.7 Instagram: lotusindiandance Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Photography by Matti Lipponen.
27 Ilona Prasher Style: Bhangra, Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Rajasthani folk, Dandiya Activity: Teaching (all levels), performing, workshops, commissioned dance pieces, collaborations Since: 2014 Based in: Helsinki, Finland For 16 years, Ilona Prasher danced in a well-known Indian dance group Mayuri in Petrozavodsk, Russia, while also teaching Indian dances at different schools for about 10 years. After marrying she moved to India where she continued teaching Indian dances to Indian children. In 2013, she moved to Helsinki and founded the Nach Mayuri dance studio. Since 2015, Ilona has been teaching Indian dances at Finnish Russian School in Helsinki. In October 2019, she was awarded the title of Expert-Consultant of Indian dances by the Organization of Chinese Artists in Finland.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nach-Mayuri-1522771317743242 Instagram: nach_mayuri Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 40 156 3966
28 Kati Viitanen Style: Kathak, semi-classical Kathak, Bollywood, semi-classical Bollywood, fusion of Bollywood and street styles, Indian folk styles and Bhangra Activity: Teaching (all levels), performing, workshops Since: 2015 Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Kati began her dance studies with Bollywood dance in Tampere in 2010. Besides Bollywood, she is interested in the classical dance styles of India. She has also attended classes and workshops in various other dance styles ranging from vogue to dancehall. Kati has close to ten years of experience in teaching dance and group exercise to children and adults and has performed since 2010 in groups and as a solo artist in numerous live and televised shows. Kati is one of the three founders of Tampere-based Fusia Performing Arts and she teaches Bollywood and semi-classical Bollywood. Kati studies Kathak with Hanna Mannila of Lotus Indian Dance Centre, and Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam with Gayathri Menon of Fusia Performing Arts.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/fusiaperformingarts Instagram: fusiaperformingarts Email: [email protected]
29 Laura Kunnas Style: Bharatanatyam Activity: Performances, teaching, workshops, lecture demonstrations Since: 2011 Based in: Espoo, Finland
Laura Kunnas has dance background in classical ballet, and she started learning Bharatanatyam from Ann Ojala in Helsinki in 2011. She has attended dance workshops in the Baltic region and studied for a semester in Singapore. In 2016 she moved to Delhi to continue her training under Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan and Vidushi Arupa Lahiry, disciple of Guru Chitra Visweswaran. Laura has performed Bharatanatyam in Delhi at India Habitat Centre for “Banaras - the Music City of UNESCO”, at Nitya Akhanda Nrityam and Purana Qila Dance Festival. She has joined forces with Ann Ojala in launching Mallikai, a performing Bharatanatyam dance group. Laura feels content when dancing Bharatanatyam, her whole body and soul being immersed in creating this visual poetry.
Contact Email: [email protected], [email protected] Instagram: lauraofmallikai Phone: +358 41 522 9105
Photography by Vikas Gupta.
30 Lyailya Yaman Style: Kathak, Bollywood, Indian folk dances Activity: Teaching and choreography Since: Teaching in Finland from 2018 Based in: Kuopio, Finland Lyailya is a Kathak dance teacher in Kompassi, Settlementti Puijola ry, Kuopio. She has knowledge of such diverse styles as classic Kathak dance, Bollywood and Indian folk dances. She studied in India, and graduated with honors diploma from Indian Institute of Kathak Dance, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. There she studied under Guru Ji Pandit Rajendra Gangani with ICCR scholarship in 1999- 2004. Lyailya has also worked in Indian Cultural Centre, Embassy of India in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2004-2008, and Nur-Sultan in 2012-2015. Lyailya and her dance group have been awarded with many diplomas for participating in dance festivals and competitions.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/lyailya.omar Instagram: lyailya_kathak Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 407 7105
31 Mikaela Jokinen Style: Bollywood, Lavani, Odissi, Kalbeliya, Garba, Bhangra, belly dance, Bellywood, semi-classical Kathak, Koli, Kuthu, contemporary, show Activity: Teaching Bollywood (all levels), Odissi (beginners), other styles (beginners, intermediate) Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Mikaela Jokinen is a full-time dance teacher, performer, choreographer and event producer. She specialises in Bollywood, oriental dance and various latin dances, and she has won multiple awards. She was the choreographer in the musical Bollywood Kaboom and the band Shava’s music video. Together with Lotus Indian Dance Centre she organizes the Spectacular India! dance show. Mikaela has traveled in different parts of the world to learn dance. Over the years she has been mentored by teachers such as Guruji Sharon Lowen, Madhur Gupta and Vishwanath Mangaraj. In India she learned Odissi, Garba, Bollywood, Kathak and Kalbeliya, and also met Queen Harish in Jaisalmer and took part in his show. Mikaela holds a certificate in Lavani dance after completing a course taught by Chani Rk.
Contact Instagram: etnicamikaela Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 3031 329
32 Olga Sharma Style: Bhangra, Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Rajasthani folk, Dandiya Activity: Teaching (all levels), performing, workshops, commissioned dance pieces, collaborations Since: 2016 Based in: Helsinki, Finland For 16 years, Olga Sharma danced in a well-known Indian dance group Mayuri in Petrozavodsk, Russia. She also performed and taught Indian dances at different schools and cultural centers of Petrozavodsk for about 10 years. After getting married, she moved to India, where she lived for seven years and continued teaching Indian and Russian dances. In 2015, Olga relocated to Kouvola, Finland, and joined the Nach Mayuri dance studio. She has been teaching Indian dances at Kouvola Adult Education Centre since 2017. Olga performs and participates in different festivals, contests and concerts in Finland and abroad as a solo performer and with Nach Mayuri. Her accomplishments include receiving GranPrix at Tampere international dance contest in 2019.
Contact Instagram: sharmaolla Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 46 623 8908
33 Sanna Laine Style: Bhangra, Bollywood, Lavani Activity: Teaching Bhangra (beginners, intermediate), Bollywood (beginners), Lavani (beginners), performing Since: 2010 Based in: Helsinki, Finland Sanna has over a decade of experience of Indian dance styles. She started her journey with Bolly Beat Dancers and currently teaches Bhangra at the Lotus Indian Dance Centre. For several years now Sanna has focused especially on the northern Indian folk dance Bhangra, but she practises other Punjabi folk dances as well. She has trained with various dancers and teachers in India, Denmark, Finland and the UK. Besides Bhangra and Bollywood, Sanna has training in several other Indian dance styles from classical Bharatanatyam to more energetic styles, such as Kollywood, Kalbeliya and Lavani. She has obtained a certificate in Lavani dance for completing a dance course in Madrid, Spain taught by Chani Rk.
Contact Website: www.lotusindiandance.fi Instagram: wompatti Email: [email protected]
Photography by Jaana Tihtonen.
34 Selsi Pattanaik Style: Odissi Activity: Performances, workshops Based in: Tampere, Finland Selsi has been practising Odissi for over 17 years. She started learning the dance style from a very young age under Sriman Narayana Pandey in Puri, Odisha state, India. In 2012, she moved to Srjan, Bhbaneswar to learn Odissi under the guidance of Sri Ratikanta Mohapatra and Srimati Sujata Mohapatra, who are both recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Selsi continued her training with them until 2015. She is still in contact with her teacher whenever she visits her hometown in India. She has completed Vishaarad Puurna, which is an equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree, in Odissi dance at Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, India. Selsi moved to Finland in summer 2018.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 46 534 7065
35 Shreya Saha Style: Kathak, semi-classical Kathak, Bollywood, regional folk Activity: Choreographing, performances, teaching Since: 2016 Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Shreya Saha is an independent dancer and co-founder of the group Sonar Bangla.
Shreya learned Kathak from Pracheen Kala Kendra in India in her childhood and early adulthood. She has also learned and performed several Bollywood and folk dances in India. During her stay in Delhi she was mentored in Kathak under Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay. Now Shreya is taking Kathak lessons from Hanna Mannila in Finland and Dr. Mitul Sengupta in India. She is also learning Western commercial and street styles in reputed dance schools in Finland, and contemporary dance from the Rhythmosaic Dance Company, India.
Shreya has obtained certificates in Kathak from Pracheen Kala Kendra and has several years of experience from different schools. Shreya is actively collaborating with other dancers and musicians in Finland.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/shreya.saha.5876 Instagram: galaxyshre Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 235 3408 36 Sujitha Ravi Style: Bollywood, South Indian folk, Kollywood, semi-classical dance, Bollywood hip hop fusion dance Activity: Teaching (all levels, both kids and adults), performances, workshops Since: 2011 Based in: Tampere, Finland
Sujitha is originally from the South Indian state Tamil Nadu. She has practised folk dances since her childhood. During her school and college days she started making choreographies and dancing to music from South Indian films. After coming to Finland, Sujitha threw herself into dancing again and has been actively dancing, performing and teaching Indian dances since 2009. She is also trained in hip-hop and a few other street dance styles. She is constantly picking up new dance styles from different cultures and fusing them with Indian styles.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/fusiaperformingarts Instagram: fusiaperformingarts Email: [email protected]
37 Tapolina Jha Style: Kathak, semi-classical dance, folk, Rabindra-Nritya, contemporary Activity: Performances Based in: Espoo, Finland
Tapolina started learning Kathak and Bengali dance forms at seven years old and holds a certificate in Kathak and Rabindra-Nritya from Pracheen Kala Kendra, India. In high school, she started focusing more on semi-classical dances. She learned basic Bharatanatyam, semi-classical and folk dance from Shri Diptangshu Pal and basic Odissi at Odissi Vision and Movement Center in Kolkata. In 2013, she took up pure Kathak again. Performing with acclaimed dancers has given her knowledge of Indian classical dance forms, which she likes to incorporate when choreographing modern creative and contemporary dances. She continues learning Kathak with Dr. Mitul Ghosh Sengupta and takes a contemporary dance course with Rythmosaic Dance Company. Good music with deep literary content drives Tapolina to dance. She has been collaborating with Shreya Saha since 2018.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/annyo.ami Instagram: tapolina.jha Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 46 955 5900 38 Vasantha Ghadiyaram Style: Kuchipudi Activity: Teaching, performances Based in: Helsinki, Finland Vasantha is a student and enthusiast of the Indian classical dance Kuchipudi. She originally started by learning Bharatanatyam with Ms. Gidugu Visalakshi at the age of four. After a short stint of Bharatanatyam, she developed interest in Kuchipudi and studied it under the mentorship of great practitioners like Smt. Sobha Naidu, who is a Padmasree Awardee, and Dr. Padmaja Reddy. She has a certificate in Kuchipudi Nrityam from Sri Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, India. She is currently a disciple of Dr. Yashoda Thakore, one of the greatest modern-day exponents of the art form. Vasantha conducts Kuchipudi dance lessons for children in the Helsinki area and runs Sri Sai Pranava Academy of Arts along with her friend Madhuri Iruku. She also performs actively both solo and with her students. Some events where she has performed include India Day 2016 and Matka travel fair in 2019.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 469 3234
39 Venu Madhuri Voleti (Iruku) Style: Kuchipudi Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performances Based in: Helsinki, Finland Madhuri is an ardent Kuchipudi performer, choreographer and student. She started pursuing classical dance and music at the age of six at Andhra Balananda Sangam, Hyderabad. Having started her journey with Bharatanatyam classical dance under Ms. Sharada Devi, Madhuri is presently a senior disciple of Smt Anitha Pallewar, who is trained under Shobha Naidu, a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri Award. Madhuri runs Sri Sai Pranava Academy of Arts dance school with her friend Vasantha Ghadiyaram, with the aim to advance and impart the culture of Indian arts to Finnish enthusiasts. Madhuri performs actively both solo and with her students. She has given various performances in and around Hyderabad, such as at the Thygaraja Utsavas festival. She has also performed in Finland at events like India Day in Helsinki, and events organised by Finland Telugu Association.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 345 5996
40 MUSIC Groups Bombillaz Style: Fusion, bhangra, Rajasthani folk mantras Activity: Performances, lecture demonstrations Since: 2007 Founded by: Kill Kaare, Arno Kalbus, Kadi Uibo, Tõnis Leemets, Tanel Liiberg and Kristjan Jõemägi Based in: Tallinn, Estonia
Bombillaz is a collaboration of Estonian musicians. They have released three studio albums, produced five music videos, given an impressive number of performances from pub gigs to numerous national and international festivals and frequently appear on the Estonian national TV. The members of the band have a varied musical background and have been taught by masters of different music fields while travelling around the world. Bombillaz combines elements from an array of different styles like rock, folk, roots reggae, reggaeton, and bhangra into an unconventional and thrilling concoction. Their lyrics always carry a positive message, with maybe a dab of critique for just the right balance.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/bombillaz Email: [email protected] Phone: +372 50 36 909
Photography by Sven Soome (left). Photography by Suneet Singh Mausil (right).
43 Fusion Stage Style: Indian folk and Hindustani fusion Activity: Performances Since: 2018 Founded by: Darshan Kumar, Snehadri Sinha, Bidyut Bikash Baruah, Malay Das, Maitry Paul Based in: Helsinki, Finland
Fusion Stage is a Helsinki-based band that forms bridges between various music flavours from different parts of India. It comprises of musicians with knowledge, expertise and musical tastes from the states Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Kerala. The band brings in a blend of folk music infused with a bit of upbeat rock and hints of soothing Indian classical tunes. Together, the band forms a matrix of tunes and melodies that resonate well with a large audience from India and the rest of the world. Fusion Stage has been performing on multiple platforms from universities to large public events like India Day. They believe in having fun on stage and giving their audience the chance to experience the same fun.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 965 4238
44 Sargam Band Style: Fusion of Indian classical, folk and film music with Western musical elements Activity: Performances Since: 2019 Founded by: Harika Rakesh, Hema Ashok, Poornima Prahlad, Rathna DP, Sravanthi Ramesh, Ravichand Velpula, Nanda Kumar, Siddharth Rao (Sid), Satvik Velpula, Soumya Velpula Based in: Helsinki, Finland Sargam is a multilingual Indian fusion band. By producing music that represents a wide variety of Indian languages, regions and cultures, Sargam celebrates unity in diversity. Sargam was officially kicked off on India Day 2019. Since then the band has performed in various events, including festivals organised by Indian cultural associations, student communities, and Indian Embassy- coordinated events. The band is a blend of formally trained and self-taught members. The members’ different backgrounds bring diverse elements like rock, heritage music and Carnatic classical music to the band.
Contact Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +358 50 467 0633, +358 40 077 0421
45 Shankara Style: Hindustani music Activity: Performances Since: 2000 Founded by: Lari Aaltonen, Kiureli Sammallahti, Peali Juva, Sami Rönkä Based in: Tampere and Helsinki, Finland
Shankara is the trailblazer of Hindustani music in Finland and consists of four members. Peali Juva has received training in Hindustani vocals in Kolkata and even performed in All India Radio. In Finland, she has been teaching vocals e.g. at the Sibelius Academy. Kiureli Sammallahti has studied vocals and harmonium in Nagpur with Pt. Prabhakar Dhakde, in Hubli with Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi, and in Nashik with Girish Pande. Lari Aaltonen holds an MA in ethnomusicology and has studied sitar in Nepal with Gyanu Radha Gorkhali and Steven Landsberg and in Rotterdam with Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee. Sami Rönkä has studied tabla in Nashik with Gulfam Sabri and Aburbo Mukherjee. Since its inception in 2000, Shankara has been giving hundreds of concerts everywhere from small clubs to major music festivals. They have also conducted workshops of Hindustani music at schools and universities.
Contacts Facebook: www.facebook.com/shankarafinland Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 383 4183
46 Shava Style: Bhangra Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performances Since: 2005 Founded by: Kiureli Sammallahti, Sami Rönkä, Valtteri Bruun, Lauri Salokoski, Mikko Arlin Based in: Helsinki, Finland Shava plays Bhangra - the most hard rocking type of festive party music that stems from the fertile land of Punjab, a place full of colour and life in Northern India. Played and sung by a bunch of Finns who wanted to create a new form of expression, and new creole music for the suburban concrete jungle. They take the Bhangra beats of Punjab and combine them with lyrics based on their lives in East Helsinki, written in their native Finnish language. The band has two albums to its name and has played in 13 different countries. They were the finalists in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2015 and have appeared on BBC World News TV. They have done numerous collaborations with notable Indian musicians from both classical and Punjabi folk scenes.
Contact Facebook: www.facebook.com/shavaofficial Instagram: shavaofficial Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 491 3839
47 Trio Sahrami Style: Hindustani, and others Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performances Since: 2018 Founded by: Kiureli Sammallahti, Peali Juva, Sami Rönkä Based in: Helsinki, Finland Trio Sahrami is a collaboration of Helsinki- based vocalist Peali Juva, born in Kolkata, Finnish tabla player Sami Rönkä, and vocalist and harmonium player Kiureli Sammallahti. Kiureli has learned from Pt. Prabhakar Dhakde in Nagpur and from Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi in Hubli, while Sami has been the student of Girish Pande in Nasik. The group was formed to perform and teach Indian music to school audiences and is part of the roster of Konserttikeskus (Concert Centre Finland), which aims to bring quality music to schools. The band performs and teaches authentic Indian music in an engaging and fun way. Their concerts consist of various genres of Indian music, ranging from ragas to film song classics and folk music.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 491 3839
48 Solo Artists Amrita Chakrabarty Style: Hindustani classical vocals Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), workshops, performances (classical and semi-classical) Since: 2000 Based in: Espoo, Finland Amrita is a Sangeet Visharad from Allahabad University which she completed in 1996. She has had the privilege of learning from great exponents of Hindustani classical music in Kolkata for more than a decade, like Pandit Sandipan Samjpati and Shri Swapan Basu. For the last 20 years, Amrita has been teaching music in her own music institute in Mumbai, and in schools like Cocoon and Furtados. In Finland she is associated with the International School of Music. In addition to teaching Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocals, Amrita also conducts basic Hindustani classical music workshops. She has also performed at different events in India and Finland. Working with children of different age groups to promote the value of music has always been her priority, specialisation and goal.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 40 252 2225
50 Antti Ohenoja Style: Hindustani music, tabla, percussions, commissioned compositions Activity: Performing, teaching tabla (beginners) Since: Performing with tabla since 2004, teaching since 2016 Based in: Helsinki, Finland Antti is a professional percussionist trained in Western classical music, but he has also learned and practised tabla intensively for nearly 20 years. He studied tabla with Prof. James Kippen and Dr. Lowell Lybarger at the University of Toronto. Antti also took lessons with Pandit Probir Mittra and performed in a concert with him when he visited the University of Toronto in 2006. In 2018, Antti presented a lecture recital on Hindustani classical music and tabla as part of the Indian Embassy’s lecture series at the Helsinki Music Centre. He also performed as a guest tabla player with singer Ashwini Gore-Deshpande in 2018 in Indian Embassy’s concert in Tallinn. Antti commissioned a new piece called Tiin chaar for tabla, marimba and trombone from Eero Hämeenniemi, which he premiered with trombone artist Darren Acosta in his third doctoral concert at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts in 2016.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 44 034 3889
Photography by Eva Kunda Neidek.
51 Lari Aaltonen Style: Hindustani music (sitar) Activity: Teaching (beginners, intermediate), performing Based in: Tampere, Finland Lari has studied sitar and Hindustani music in Kathmandu, Nepal with Gyanu Radha Gorkhali and Steven Landsberg in 1999, 2003 and 2006. He also studied sitar at the Rotterdam Conservatory with Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee in 2000. Lari holds an MA in ethnomusicology from Tampere University. Since 2000, he has been lecturing among other subjects on music in South Asia, especially in Nepal, at different universities and schools. He has collaborated with Finnish pop, rock and jazz musicians and been featured on several records with his sitar. In addition to his work as a producer and cultural activist, Lari is a freelance musician and teaches at the Music School Uulu in Tampere.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 383 4183
52 Nanda Kumar Style: Fusion of Carnatic classical and Western rock Activity: Performances Since: Performing in Finland since 2016 Based in: Espoo, Finland Nanda is a guitarist who loves to create Carnatic classical and Western rock fusion music. His musical influences include artists like A. R. Rehman, Ilayaraja, Lucky Ali and Indian fusion bands like Agam, Avial, Motherjane and India creed. Nanda developed an interest in veena and violins early on and was captivated by string instruments. Having bought a guitar, he started learning the instrument by himself, as there were no teachers who taught the music he wanted to play. He had the fortune to be roped into a corporate rock band during his tenure at Wipro, and participated in several corporate events and competitions. Nanda’s band won an intercorporate competition called Touchbase in 2003. Nanda came to Finland soon after that. He started performing again when like- minded people got him involved in a performance in India Day in 2016 and again in 2019.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 40 661 5970
53 Sharon Ben-Dor Style: North Indian Hindustani classical music Activity: Sitar performances, teaching Based in: Tampere, Finland Sharon Ben-Dor is a sitar artist who has been studying North Indian classical music since the early 1990s. For three decades, he has been learning sitar (Gayaki style) with various teachers in India. For the past ten years, he has been studying with Pandit Sugato Nag, who is based in Kolkata and a disciple of the legendary sarod players Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra and Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta from Senia- Shahjahanpor Gharana. Sharon Ben-Dor has performed at various events in India, Israel and Finland. He plays either alone or together with a tabla player. He has also taught sitar lessons in Finland. In addition, Sharon Ben-Dor is a Sanskrit scholar. He has a PhD degree in Indian studies from the University of Helsinki, and he has deep knowledge of Indian musical theory and of the philosophy of Indian aesthetics.
Contact Email: [email protected]
On the left tablaist Ajey Gotkhindikar, on the right Sharon Ben-Dor.
54 Siddharth Rao Style: Tabla, other percussion instruments Activity: Performances Based in: Helsinki, Finland Siddharth has been learning and playing tabla intermittently during the last 20 years. He has learned Banarasi gharana style of tabla from Ustad Babu Harlapur and Pt. Ravindra Yavagal. Siddharth has also picked up other percussion instruments by himself and sharpened his skills at jamming sessions. Siddharth is happy to collaborate with singers, dancers or other artists who are interested in Hindustani or Carnatic Indian classical and folk music. In collaborations he can play tabla or other percussion instruments. Siddharth can also be contacted for making fusion music of Indian music and other genres.
Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +358 50 467 0633
55 Index of Art Styles
DANCE Bellywood 9, 32 Bhangra 9, 13, 17, 19, 20, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34 Bharatanatyam 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 25, 26, 28, 30, 33 Bollywood 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37 Dandiya 17, 28, 33 Folk 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 28, 29, 31, 33, 36, 37, 38 Fusion 16, 18, 19, 20, 29, 37 Garba 9, 16, 32 Ghoomar 16 Giddha 19 Gypsy dances 12 Kalbeliya 9, 32 Kathak 13, 17, 20, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33, 36, 38 Kathakali 10, 15, 26 Keralanadanam 10, 26 Koli 9, 32 Kollywood 10, 11, 18, 37 Kuchipudi 22, 39, 40 Kuthu 9, 32 Latin dances 11 Lavani 9, 16, 32, 34 Modern Western dances 9, 11, 29, 32, 37, 38 Mohiniyattam 10, 15, 26 Odissi 9, 32, 35 Rabindra-Nritya 38 Rajasthani folk 12, 13, 16, 17, 28, 33
56 Semi-classical 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 21, 26, 37, 38 Semi-classical Kathak 9, 10, 21, 29, 32, 36 Tollywood 11
Music Bhangra 43, 47 Carnatic classical 53 Compositions 51 Folk 43, 44, 45 Fusion 43, 44, 45, 53 Guitar 53 Hindustani 44, 46, 48, 51, 52, 54 Hindustani classical vocals 50 Mantras 43 Percussions 51, 55 Sitar 52, 54 Tabla 51, 55 Western music styles 45, 53
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