Menaka Thakkar

Image: Museum of Toronto.

Menaka Thakkar established Canada’s first professional Indian dance company in 1978. Thakkar blended different cultural dance styles to co-create a performance called “East Meets West” in which she bridged cultural divides.

1942 - 2022 | Dancer and Choreographer

An internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, teacher, and institution-builder, Menaka Thakkar forged a new path in the realm of Indian dance in Canada for over four decades. In 1978 she established Canada’s first professional Indian dance company, the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company. Thakkar would also become director at Nrtyakala: The Canadian Academy of Indian Dance and teach in York University Dance Department and Canada’s National Ballet School.

Thakkar brought the ancient art of Indian classical dance to the consciousness of a mainstream Canadian audience, bridging cultural divides and enriching the city’s artistic tapestry.

Explore more women who transformed Toronto.

Explore More

Filmmaker Panel & Screening: Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

These 10 short films translate oral histories and personal narratives

[Un]Archiving Workshop

This workshop explores on archiving and the importance of documenting

Share this Article

Explore More
Content

Filmmaker Panel & Screening: Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

These 10 short films translate oral histories and personal narratives into films that speak to a diaspora and beyond.

[Un]Archiving Workshop

This workshop explores on archiving and the importance of documenting Black stories, voices, & experiences.

A Place for Community Archives: A Panel Discussion

A panel discussion about the growing importance of community archiving in our city.

Telling Our Own Stories: A Panel on Black-Led Archives

This engaging and informative panel discussion brings together experts from the field of Black archives.

Curatorial Tours of Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

Join us at Museum of Toronto for a personalized guided group tour of the Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto exhibition.

Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

Explore our latest exhibition.

Curator-Led Tours of Mr. Dressup to Degrassi

Curator Ed Conroy led tours of the Mr. Dressup to Degrassi exhibition at Museum of Toronto

Nina Keogh Teaches Puppetry for Television

This past workshop welcomed participants into the puppetry world of the wonderful Nina Keogh.

Let’s Stay In Touch

Follow us on your favourite social media channel for more Toronto histories.

In Loving Memory: #DeadRacoonTO

Lets remember the Toronto raccoon whose passing made international headlines.