When Ishita Singla started her dance journey in Calgary as a recreational pursuit, little did she know that the challenges in the dance industry would eventually catalyze her to start Madhuban Performing Arts in 2016 — Calgary’s first South Asian space for artists. What began as a team of three dancers has now grown to a team of 40 extremely talented and passionate local musicians, dancers and actors. From performing at local events to featuring in a mainstream Hindi movie to staging their first original theatre production, Jeevan, last year, Madhuban Performing Arts has become a household name in Calgary’s artistic landscape. It continues to be a home and an inspiration for many emerging South Asian artists in the city.
Ishita Singla by Jared Sych/Avenue Magazine
We had the pleasure of chatting with Ishita about her creative journey, the importance of artistic expression in South Asian cultures, Madhuban’s upcoming projects, and more. Read more to find out how Madhuban Performing Arts is changing Calgary’s artistic landscape for South Asian artists!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative journey. What drove you to start Madhuban Performing Arts?
I remember getting my favourite cassette all wound up after playing it repeatedly. I remember watching Madhuri Dixit in complete awe and then running to a mirror to copy what I had just seen. I remember playing dress-up and spinning around for hours. It feels like a blur now, but also feels like nothing has changed. Maybe just the cassette bit. I always danced. My mom says I could dance before I could walk. It has been a part of me since birth and we have been inseparable ever since. However, I never thought this dance affair would turn into the movement it is today. When I started my dance journey in Calgary, it was merely a recreational pursuit. Destiny had different plans. I was recruited to dance professionally and soon discovered that this industry is heavily male-oriented and driven. I also faced many inequitable and discriminatory practices. This led me to realize my potential. This led me to lead a new wave of South Asian dancing in Calgary.
Madhuban was created from the mere need of creating a safe space for artists, so they could be themselves without any inhibitions, judgment and barriers.
In 2016, I started on this journey with three dancers by my side, and now we have grown to a team of ~40 musicians, dancers and actors.
Ishita Singla by Avi Randhawa/ASR Made It
How would you define the importance of having artistic expression in South Asian cultures, considering that the arts are generally looked down upon by many in the community?
Artistic expression belongs in South Asian cultures. Our culture and heritage is heavily rooted in the arts. However, distorted misrepresentation in commercial spaces or the connotation associated with one aspect of our history has birthed stigma and stereotypes in the minds of many as well. Dance and music have always been regarded as skills of the highest calibre in our ancient scriptures. To think, even our deities danced to express love, anger and resolution. It is high time to remind people of this history and its importance.
What would you consider a turning point in Madhuban’s journey, in terms of scaling things up and experimenting with various art forms?
There have been many pivotal moments in our journey, but the most recent one has to be when we took a step forward towards hosting our own events. We have opened for artists like Atif Aslam and Neha Kakkar on big stages, but nothing can beat the feeling of hosting our theatre production, or our musical concert. That feeling of collective ownership and authenticity is priceless and I think our first-ever theatre show, Jeevan, changed the game for us last year. We wrote our script, and original characters and designed a show which has never been seen before. We pushed our limits to experiment with what we could do with musicians, dancers and actors all under the same roof. Our well-wishers are already looking forward to our next production and our team is super thrilled to explore this new comprehensive platform of storytelling, which allows us to explore our creativity in multi-dimensional ways.
Can you share some of Madhuban Performing Arts’ most notable and memorable achievements?
Our biggest achievement is our team, the bond we share and the solidarity that binds us all together. With a foundation so strong, we have been able to achieve some amazing things together. To name a few — our home production, Jeevan. Appearance in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Netflix film, Khufiya. Collaboration with the promotional team of Dhanush’s The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir. Opening acts for Atif Aslam and Neha Kakkar. First South Asian band to headline a concert for Chinook Blast. Pioneering South Asian open mics in the city. Halftime performance for Calgary Surge. Many, many more.
All with one underlying theme. Breaking barriers.
Making South Asian art a cornerstone, not an afterthought.
What was it like to work with an acclaimed filmmaker like Vishal Bharadwaj in Netflix’s Khufiya (2023)? How did that come along and what was your takeaway from the experience?
We had a couple of casting agents reach out to us because Vishal sir was looking for actual musicians who could learn the song and play it accurately. Well, they came to the right place! The experience was overwhelmingly beautiful. We learned so much by being in the vicinity of such accomplished artists as Vishal Bhardwaj, Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi and Rahul Ram. We had the opportunity to hang out with Rahul sir of the pioneering Indian band, Indian Ocean. While driving to Banff, he shared so many learnings he has experienced while being in a band for so many years. From one pioneering band to another, you can only imagine how empowering it was! Our band is the first of its kind in Calgary and we were still in our formative stages when this project happened to us. I would say, it was quite fitting to have a mentor like Rahul sir by our side throughout this project.
Ishita and her team on the sets of Khufiya (2023) with Rahul Ram (centre) of the Indian Ocean fame.
We kept it hush-hush until the movie was released and it was so amazing to see and hear the reactions of fellow Calgarians taking pride in seeing their own on TV! We still get spotted sometimes and it’s truly an impeccable feeling.
Have you noticed a shift in perception towards South Asian artists in Calgary since you started Madhuban? What has the impact been like?
Absolutely and we take the utmost pride in this. I feel we had the honour of sparking some new waves in the city. Our open mics encouraged more people to explore these avenues, with more South Asian bands popping up in the city. Our dance workshops have also really taken on and more dancers are hosting their own, sharing their love for the craft.
If this isn’t impactful, what is? The city has finally accepted us. Enough to be inspired to walk on the same paths we’re treading. However, I still feel there is more work to do in this space. More mindsets to change. More doors to be opened and glass ceilings to be shattered.
Can you tell us more about Madhuban’s upcoming events and projects?
Katha. Our second original production. September 28 at The Grand in Downtown Calgary. We are exploring themes of grief, depression and acceptance through the ultimate glory of stories, and storytelling. There is going to be original music, scintillating never-seen-before choreographies and newly discovered actors who feel like they have always belonged on the stage. It will make you smile, laugh, cry, scream from inside… just everything.
Poster of Katha — Madhuban’s latest production
What is your message for all the aspiring South Asian artists in Calgary and Canada?
“Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Be insane. Don’t care about the world.
Take that leap of faith, pursue your art and do it with the right intention. The rest — the universe will take care of it.
We wish Ishita and her team at Madhuban all the success in their upcoming ventures. Here’s to breaking barriers and building bridges!
P.S. If you are based in Calgary and want to check out Madhuban’s latest production, please book your tickets before September 28th here! *Limited seats left*
