the story of navrang
30 years ago I was approached by some of the leaders in our community and asked if I would be willing to share my love of dance to start a Folklore & Folk Dance Institute. With the help of friends and family, we raised $20,000 all for the love of our vanishing folk culture.
I went to India and brought back an inventory of handmade costumes and original music, and returned to learn that our first performance was planned at the John Bassett Threatre at the Metro Convention Centre. It all began there with the first play, Laadakwai, where we received a standing ovation. I played the lead to a sold-out show with 1,300 seats! In our second year, Navrang went to Premier Dance Threatre at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre where we performed Shakuntala in three back-to-back shows, which to our delight, were sold-out. In our third year, we returned to John Bassett at Metro Convention Centre, where Navrang performed Anarkali, once again sold-out. We were shocked to learn that 300 people had lined-up outside without tickets. It was a very proud moment when I read, "sold out" on the marquee.
The Journey had definitely started with the support of my husband, children and extended family. To them and my wonderful community supporters and friends, I owe my gratitude. Each year that we grew as a family, more wonderful people joined our team. From loyal parents to participants, backstage volunteers, threatre crew and sponsors, we are one big family! It has been an extraordinary journey. Sunil, Roshan and Naliny have supported Navrang's cause and mission statement. Through Sunil's enthusiasm for dance and drama, and Roshan's love for the Indian Performing Arts, and Naliny's dedication to the art form, we have become a family of friends who make it all happen. There are many more people to name, and this month as we continue to develop the website, we hope to thank them all.
On this journey, we have a new generation, who are very involved and are emerging with new talents and new ideas. What makes me most proud is their devotion to our art form - this makes me believe that it will never be lost. Many students have left to continue their post-secondary studies and we are so proud of them. We hope that they will one day return to their roots of dance. We wish all our students the very best in their educational journey and hope they will treasure the memories they have created here.
Navrang is a family of friends who have a common goal to strive for excellence in the Performing Arts and to keep our beautiful folk culture alive, and pass it on to the next generation. All these wonderful people have supported Navrang simply because they believe in our mission statement and know that their children are in safe hands.
The Institution was a large undertaking, and we have had our ups and downs, but, we have never faltered from our goal. In the end, and on "Show-Day", it all works out and believe me when I say, this curtain is not going down any time soon! When a cause is just and built on passion, it can never die. I am very proud to say congratulations to Navrang as we approach our 25th year. What a journey it has been!
Thanks to all our family, friends, parents and participants, for your continued support always.
Ella Devani,
Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer & Producer
I went to India and brought back an inventory of handmade costumes and original music, and returned to learn that our first performance was planned at the John Bassett Threatre at the Metro Convention Centre. It all began there with the first play, Laadakwai, where we received a standing ovation. I played the lead to a sold-out show with 1,300 seats! In our second year, Navrang went to Premier Dance Threatre at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre where we performed Shakuntala in three back-to-back shows, which to our delight, were sold-out. In our third year, we returned to John Bassett at Metro Convention Centre, where Navrang performed Anarkali, once again sold-out. We were shocked to learn that 300 people had lined-up outside without tickets. It was a very proud moment when I read, "sold out" on the marquee.
The Journey had definitely started with the support of my husband, children and extended family. To them and my wonderful community supporters and friends, I owe my gratitude. Each year that we grew as a family, more wonderful people joined our team. From loyal parents to participants, backstage volunteers, threatre crew and sponsors, we are one big family! It has been an extraordinary journey. Sunil, Roshan and Naliny have supported Navrang's cause and mission statement. Through Sunil's enthusiasm for dance and drama, and Roshan's love for the Indian Performing Arts, and Naliny's dedication to the art form, we have become a family of friends who make it all happen. There are many more people to name, and this month as we continue to develop the website, we hope to thank them all.
On this journey, we have a new generation, who are very involved and are emerging with new talents and new ideas. What makes me most proud is their devotion to our art form - this makes me believe that it will never be lost. Many students have left to continue their post-secondary studies and we are so proud of them. We hope that they will one day return to their roots of dance. We wish all our students the very best in their educational journey and hope they will treasure the memories they have created here.
Navrang is a family of friends who have a common goal to strive for excellence in the Performing Arts and to keep our beautiful folk culture alive, and pass it on to the next generation. All these wonderful people have supported Navrang simply because they believe in our mission statement and know that their children are in safe hands.
The Institution was a large undertaking, and we have had our ups and downs, but, we have never faltered from our goal. In the end, and on "Show-Day", it all works out and believe me when I say, this curtain is not going down any time soon! When a cause is just and built on passion, it can never die. I am very proud to say congratulations to Navrang as we approach our 25th year. What a journey it has been!
Thanks to all our family, friends, parents and participants, for your continued support always.
Ella Devani,
Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer & Producer
our wonderful team
Technical Director, Soundtrack & Show Manager - Sunil Lakhani
Public Relations, Voice Coach, Stage Set Director - Roshan Byramjee
Front-of-House Managers - Roshan Byramjee & Kirit Devani
Stage Managers - Denash Patel & Zavar Byramjee
Back Stage Assistants - Raj, Ravi, Dinshaw Byramjee, Ramesh Patel, Nimesh Patel, Faisal Barbhuiya
Costume/Make-up Team - Roshan Byramjee, Sharon Byramjee, Latika Teli, Nikki Powar, Alka Panchmatia, Natasha Lakhani, Nira Patel, Sonia Gupta, Mahrokh Fazl, Nina Byramjee, Jerina Patel, Naliny Patel
Photographer - Faisal Barbhuiya
Program Printing - Regal Press Canada Ltd.
Public Relations, Voice Coach, Stage Set Director - Roshan Byramjee
Front-of-House Managers - Roshan Byramjee & Kirit Devani
Stage Managers - Denash Patel & Zavar Byramjee
Back Stage Assistants - Raj, Ravi, Dinshaw Byramjee, Ramesh Patel, Nimesh Patel, Faisal Barbhuiya
Costume/Make-up Team - Roshan Byramjee, Sharon Byramjee, Latika Teli, Nikki Powar, Alka Panchmatia, Natasha Lakhani, Nira Patel, Sonia Gupta, Mahrokh Fazl, Nina Byramjee, Jerina Patel, Naliny Patel
Photographer - Faisal Barbhuiya
Program Printing - Regal Press Canada Ltd.
