Featured Artists:
COLIN MASCARHENAS
AMEERA NIMJEE
Join us for a live stream on Mandala’s Facebook Page or Youtube Channel. Proceeds go towards Mandala Makers artists. Donate today: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1885545514916110/
Ameera Nimjee
Ameera Nimjee is a kathak dancer, musician, scholar, and educator. She began her study of kathak with Joanna de Souza in 2007, and performs with Toronto-based Chhandam Dance Company in Canada, the United States, and India. Her love of the dance form grows from her interest in the musicality and intricacies of rhythm in kathak. As a scholar, Ameera conducts research in the fields of music and dance studies. She holds both MA and PhD degrees in ethnomusicology, and a Bachelor of Music and Associate’s Diploma in classical piano performance. Ameera is a professor of Ethnomusicology and Asian Studies at the University of Puget Sound, where she teaches courses on music, dance, and the study of culture.
Colin Mascarhenas
Colin Mascarenhas, disciple of Guru Ankur Ballal and Smt. Guru Jhelum Paranjape, has been learning Odissi for the past 10 years. Colin started his learning under Smitalay and has performed with their group at various reputed venues that include festivals at NCPA Mumbai, the Akhil Bharatiya Sanskruitk Sangh Pune and the Natyanjali Festival Mumbai. Colin moved to Chicago and has continued learning Odissi under the guidance of Guru Ipsita Sathpathy and has performed with Mandala Arts.
About Mandala Makers:
Emerging artists immersed in South Asian performance traditions share their passion and artistry in this concert series. Each week features a different line up of outstanding Chicago-based musicians, dancers and experts. These artists are resilient in their creations and are building a space to share work and find healing and expression through art. All contributions go towards Mandala Makers Festival launching June 13th.
About Mandala Makers Festival:
The festival returns this year as a digital space to support Chicago-based artists engaging with South Asian culture and identities. Artists respond to the process art-making during the COVID-19 crisis and contribute their voices in this project.