International Dance Day, celebrated every year on April 29, has been going on for over 30 years. This year, the celebration comes to Richmond. Richmond’s first annual International Dance Day event presents a group of around 70 performers showcasing their cultures, stories, and unique dance styles – from the expressive hand gestures of Indian classical dance to the intricate footwork of Serbian folk dance.
Sudnya Mulye, who helped create International Dance Day Richmond with several other dance groups and serves as the event’s artistic director, says it is about time the City of Richmond had its own festival.
“It would bring something new to the city,” says Mulye.
The theme this year is “Community Quilt,” which highlights the work of a variety of artists and performers, and shines a spotlight on cultural diversity in Richmond.
“It’s not just a show where dancers perform their piece and leave, but where people come together. It’s very multicultural,” says Mulye.
Classical Indian
Bozana Markovic has been dancing in a Serbian folk group since the age of three. | Photo courtesy of Isidora Markovic
Bharata Natyam is one of several dance styles that attendees can expect to see at the event. It may not sound familiar to many people, but it is what Mulye has been practicing for many years. Bharata Natyam is one of eight classical Indian dances, originating in temples and dating back thousands of years.
“It’s a dance heavily steeped in mythology with lots of intricate footwork,” says Mulye.
Mulye grew up in Bombay, India with a family that was involved in the arts. She has been dancing her whole life and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in dance.
“When I moved to Vancouver, there was no culture shock because I came from Bombay, a vibrant city. But in Vancouver, even today, it’s hard to have full support for Indian classical dance,” says Mulye, adding that most people are familiar with Bhangra or Bollywood-style Indian dancing.
Finding their feet
Serbian folk dancing is another style of dance that will be featured at the event, presented by the Serbian Dance Ensemble, Zavijac. Isidora and Dragan Markovic opened Zavicaj in 2010 after 15 years of working with Serbian folk dancers in the Vancouver area. Both of the Markovics grew up in Uzice, Serbia. Isidora Markovic started Serbian folk dancing at the age of 10; moving to Canada at the age of 20, she started teaching Serbian folk dancing in churches.
“We didn’t open up this business just to set up a business, we went with our hearts,” says Isidora Markovic, who enjoys working with people who share a similar passion in the arts and are open to new ideas.
“Serbian folk dancing is very diverse, with each region of the country having its own style of dance and costumes,” says Isidora Markovic.
Sudnya Mulye, traditional Indian dancer. | Photo by Shripad Bhonsle
Dancers’ silk costumes in the south of the country have Turkish, Serbian and Gypsy influences, whereas the thicker garments such as wool come from the mountains in the north.
The Markovics visit Serbia regularly to study the latest style of dancing and bring it back to teach their students in Vancouver.
“We want to reach out to different nationalities and want other people to see and try our type of dancing,” says Isidora Markovic.
Zavicaj has three age groups of dancers along with a recreational group of 25- to 65-year-olds, as well as a few children with mixed backgrounds. The school also aims to teach the Serbian language through singing.
For International Dance Day, Isidora Markovic hopes people will enjoy the diversity and appreciate the work of the dance groups.
“When you are in the audience and hear singing and see the dancing, that inspires you, and you don’t need to understand the words or steps,” says Isidora Markovic.
International Dance Day Richmond, May 3 at Richmond Cultural Centre
For more information visit tinyurl.com/DanceDayRichmond
