ABOUT
Vidya Kotamraju (She/Her) is a Vancouver-based dance artist, choreographer and art educator whose work merges tradition and innovation. She is the founder of House of Indian Dance, dedicated to empowering artists and breaking barriers in dance, one step at a time.
Kotamraju has performed as a soloist and ensemble dancer for Mandala Arts and Culture, including in The Temptation Of Buddha and The Monk And The Courtesan. Her performances extend to civic and cultural events, including for the Mayor at the Vancouver City Hall, North Shore Womens Centre's Crimson Cabaret, Dance Centre's Silk Route Festival, Wish 150 A Long Way Home Exhibit, Namaste Canada, PNE's Spirit of India festival, and the Vancouver Cultural Olympiad among others.
Rooted in the classical form of Bharata natyam*, her artistry is shaped by rigorous training with Jai Govinda (Canada), Sheila Jagadish Kumar (India), and Bragha Bessell (India). She continues to deepen her practice through ongoing mentorship and annual masterclasses. A recipient of the 2017 Shade of Hope Award, off stage, she has served on the boards of New Works and Mandala Arts and Culture for several years. Alongside her artistic career, she also works in the tech industry.
​Kotamraju acknowledges and is grateful to live and create on the unceded territory of the xÊ·mÉ™θkÊ·É™yÌ“É™m (Musqueam).
For access to Vidya's performance CV, please contact Vidya here
* Bharata natyam is one of the main Indian classical dance forms with a history of over 2000 years and embodies art, culture and philosophy in India. It is the synchronization of Expression, Music, Rythm and Dance to create inticrate body movements and variations.
**Arangetram is a public graduation solo performance and is a major milestone in a Bharata Natyam dancers journey culminating after several years of rigorous training.
