The jury wishes to highlight Amrita Choudhury’s achievements as a performer, choreographer, and teacher. Known for her artistic works that bring people together and for her commitment to community, she has formed lasting relationships with diverse cultural groups and artists. For 35 years now, Amrita has transcended technique to express her vision of humanity in harmony with the sacred environment around us. Inspired by this philosophy, she remains faithful to her Indian origins, passing on ancestral artistic wisdom in a practice that imparts empathy, humility, and openness to dialogue. Respect for Mother Earth, territory, and the principle of the interdependence of all is at the heart of her approach.
Amrita’s recent collaboration with artist Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo of Kahnawake in Shakti Renaît – Honorer nos histoires, a work she created and directed, brings out links between ancestral knowledge and issues facing marginalized and indigenous communities today. It illustrates the wide scope of her work and her commitment to the decolonization and democratization of dance and its practice. Amrita Choudhury is contributing to building a more inclusive dance community in Montreal and in Quebec. Awarding her the Prix Envol is an excellent way of showing our appreciation.
Performer, choreographer, and teacher
Amrita Choudhury studied at Santiniketan and at the Legacy of Arts Institute in India. She holds a degree in anthropology and has focussed her research on dance forms native to the Indian subcontinent. With 35 years of international experience in performance, choreography, and teaching, she specializes in Indian classical Odissi, folk Kalbeliya, traditional Rabindra Nritya, Indian modern and tribal forms. She sees dance as a healing path that offers hope, love, and a bond of solidarity amongst all peoples.
Through thought-provoking intercultural productions that highlight important socio-cultural concerns, Amrita’s art is a means of decolonizing and democratizing dance and its practice through emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Her productions Sophia’s Resurrection, Bridges of Hope, and Shakti Rising evoke issues that touch upon marginalized groups, human rights, and women’s stories. Building bridges between cultures and art forms, her choreographies, workshops and performances have been presented at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Festival Accès Asie, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, MAI, numerous festivals, and at TED talks. Amrita offers in-depth perspectives of ancient Indian arts and her creations bring ancestral knowledge into the contemporary artistic milieu.
Amrita honours her presence as a guest on this land, thankful to be able to share and perform her creations here.