Bhangra is a lively form of folk music and dance that originates from the province of Punjab in India. People traditionally performed Bhangra when celebrating the harvest. During Bhangra, people sing Punjabi lyrics, at least one person plays the drum (DHOL), and other people may play the flute, drum, or other musical instruments.

Many people believe that Bhangra originated in the 1400s, however, it may be even older. The men wear the turban, lungi (long cloth wrapped around the waist), and kurta (traditional Indian shirt).

Nupura aims at introducing traditional South Indian culture to the student with a hope that the beauty, grace and wisdom embodied in it will become an integral part of his/her life, whatever his/her dreams and aspirations may be. South Indian classical music and dance, carrying with them generations of wisdom aging back to antiquity, becomes the chief medium of creating awareness in students. Nupura seeks to conserve and promote an awareness of this rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry amongst the students through focus on the classical arts, with their attendant legends, rituals, mythology and philosophy and to facilitate an awareness of their deeper and subtler values.

Gayathri Devi Vijayakumar the principal and artistic director of Nupura school of music and dance has been involved with South Indian classical music and dance for more than 20 years and have learned classical music in traditional Gurukula style under renowned musicians such as P.Madhusoodhana Menon (disciple of maestro G.N. Balasubramaniam), Kunjuraman Nair (disciple of the great Chembai Vaidyanath Bagavathar).

In Classical dances she studied Barathnatyam, Mohiniyattom & Kuchipudi under Kalamandalam Sarojam and Kalamandalam Chandrika.

The TD Festival of South Asia is presenting its first ever South Asia’s Got Talent show for Toronto based youth. This show is based on a popular reality show Britain's Got Talent. It will aim to showcase the best Toronto youth have to offer in dance, singing, drama, magic and much, much more.

Agni is an energetic group of young singers, dancers and musicians who have been entertaining the Tamil community for the past 10 years. It is truly a youthful group and has garnered recognition throughout North America for its spunky energy and technical prowess. Agni's versatility is clearly shown- from its singers fluent in several languages, to instrumentalists delving equally in Indian and western instrumentals, to dancers having a fusion of training in all from bharathanatyam to jazz or hip hop. It's this unique fusion that makes Agni a group that can entertain a range of crowds and interests while standing out as a musical flame on its own.

Agni is from Toronto and has performed in cities outside of Toronto such as Montréal, Ottawa, Houston, New Jersey, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Connecticut... the list goes on. Agni has backed up several music icons such as Shankar Mahadevan, Srinivas, Sujatha, Krish, chinmayyi, and many more. Please visit Agni at www.agni.ca.

Nupura aims at introducing traditional South Indian culture to the student with a hope that the beauty, grace and wisdom embodied in it will become an integral part of his/her life, whatever his/her dreams and aspirations may be. South Indian classical music and dance, carrying with them generations of wisdom aging back to antiquity, becomes the chief medium of creating awareness in students. Nupura seeks to conserve and promote an awareness of this rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry amongst the students through focus on the classical arts, with their attendant legends, rituals, mythology and philosophy and to facilitate an awareness of their deeper and subtler values.

Gayathri Devi Vijayakumar the principal and artistic director of Nupura school of music and dance has been involved with South Indian classical music and dance for more than 20 years and have learned classical music in traditional Gurukula style under renowned musicians such as P.Madhusoodhana Menon (disciple of maestro G.N. Balasubramaniam), Kunjuraman Nair (disciple of the great Chembai Vaidyanath Bagavathar).

DESTINY have been in existence for the past 2yrs ,and has been making a name for themselves in the musical industry, as one of the premier cross-over band in Toronto,with talented and versatile musicians and singers from all ethnic backgrounds..

The band was founded at the home off Stephenson Nanan, many off the guests,of whom were musicans from ex-band in Trinidad and Tobago ,asked (Stephen) to put the group together under the influence of Curtis Bernard(curtis-b) ,Glenroy John(big-g) and Errol Ramlogan (screel) , “DESTINY”was born…Many have asked why the name DESTINY,hence, it was giving to us within a pray ,by Glenroy, during our first rehearsal of the band.

Many off the original artists are still with the band,alongside the young and energetic faces of Kiran,Kamela,Kalish ,Barry and Visham…who feeds off the more experience musician and singers,thus making DESTINY a “force to reckon with” for many years to come.

The band plays a wide variety off music,ranging from soca,reggae,r&b,Indian (hindi song) and chutney music and is available for party,wedding,clubs and concerts…They can be contacted at 905-970-9595.

During Lohri occasion, the Punjabi women reveling joy, give vent to their suppressed feelings in a male dominated society through the Gidda. Slogans known as bolis are sung while dancing which exhibit the deep human feeling. These bolis cover varied themes from nature to excesses committed by the husband and his relatives, some talk about love affairs to the loneliness of a bride separated from her groom.

The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance. One of the girls plays on the drum or 'dholki' while others form a circle. Some times even the dholki is dispensed with. While moving in a circle, the girls raise their hands to the level of their shoulders and clap their hands in unison. Then they strike their palms against those of their neighbours. Clapping of hands generally provides rhythm.

Gidda is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances it is very much an affair of the legs. So quick is the movement of the feet in its faster parts that it is difficult for the spectator even to wink till the tempo falls again. The embroidered 'dupattas' and heavy jewelry of the participants whose number is unrestricted further exaggerate the movements.

Raas is the famous folk dance in the state of Gujarat. Nonetheless, this form of dance has been very well known all over the world. Raas is also performed on auspicious occasions. Raas was originally played in a circle, but now many have altered styles in which they perform it. It is also familiar to some as the stick dance, or "dandia raas". It is performed with the help of two small wooden sticks. Lord Krishna used to perform this dance with the Gopis and girls of the village, Vrundavan. All the girls used to forget everything and get lost in the music and love of Lord Krishna. Dandia is famous as a dance of love and music.

Ms. Kanan Bhatt has been a graceful dancer and is an acclaimed Dance Teacher and choreographer of Bharat Natyam style. She holds Bharat Natyam Alankar (M.A. in Dance) from Gandharva Mahavidyalay, Amdavad and Nritya Kovid from Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai.

Said Mushfiq Hashimi the lead of the group and he plays Harmonium with Said Moheb Hashimy on Tabla, Sujata Verma on Acoustic Tanpura, vocals, khanjari, & surmandal and Shuja Sayed: Conga drum, tumbak, and Afghan dhol

Afghan folk, North Indian classical, light classical, ghazals, and Qawwalis are their main musical domains. Songs are rendered in Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, to mention a few. In additional to these languages we typically speak to audiences in English, French and Dutch.

Mushfiq Ensemble had performed in Festivals, Concert Series, House Concerts, Schools, etc. all venues. This group alos trains children and young adults in vocal and instrumental Indian music. Complete details are posted on http://www.mushfiq.ca

Bengali Folk, contemporary, Tagore and Nazrul and modern Bengali Dances. Choreographed & directed by Aruna Haider of "Shukanya Nrittangan" dance Academy Performed by Barsha Ghosh and by the students of "Shukanya Nrittangan"

Aruna Haider started taking dance lessons with her mother Sultana Haider since age 5 at the Jago Art Centre of Late Gauhar Jamil in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her mother and her formed the first mother-daughter dance duo in Bangladesh. She appeared on many TV and Stage shows as well as national programs in Bangladesh. In 1991 she recieved ICCR scholarship from India and learned Kathak under the tutelege of Pandit Birju Maharaj, Guru Ram Mohan Maharaj and Guru Rani Khanum. She also learnt Chhau dance from Guru Loknath Dhadha. She was student at the Kathak Kendra and the Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. She was also a member of the Ballet troupe of the Kala Kendra. She travelled extensively all over the world with Bangladeshi and Indian cultural troupes. She immigrated to Canada in 2001 and ultimately opened the Shukanya Nrittangan, dance school in Toronto following the footsteps of her mother who is a prominent folk dance specialist in Bangladesh and the original founder of Shukanya Nrittangan. Aruna is also an acclaimed choreographer and actress as well as an accomplished recitor. She is a dedicated dance teacher and cultural ambassador whose students have performed widely in Canada.

Zeina is an outstanding dance performer, instructor and Choreographer. She currently teaches different levels, such as Begginer level, Intermediate Level and different dances as well. Zeina has instructed three levels in Brampton and Mississauga. She has instructed many dances including Latin Dance, Ballroom Dance and Argentine Tango.

In 1995 she was introduced to Middle Eastern Dance and found it to be the ideal medium. Since that time, Zeina has devoted her life to learning, performing and sharing this art form. Aside from performing, Zeina brings a gift of experience and many influences to her teaching style.

Zeina's special connection with her audience keeps her in high demand. Her tasteful, enthusiastic style brings something special to any occasion. She performs in venues from weddings to conventions, intimate parties to large gatherings. Zeina has also enjoyed giving her time and talent tomany charity functions including: Brampton Communiy Services, Carabram (Festival of Cultures in Brampton), Carassauga (Festival of Cultures in Mississauga), along with a host of others.

Canadian Bollywood Singing Sensation - Saima Khan - Also known as "Myssah"... will be performing with her Amazing Colorful Dance group on July 17th 2011 - MYSSAH, a Dazzling beauty, an international star in the making, a power to reckon with!

With her striking charisma, distinguished charm and stunning good looks, this mesmerizing Diva, is ready to take the world by storm.... Her energetic presence on stage fires passion and spontaneity, drawing the audience towards her. Myssah comes alive on stage delivering a combined performance of music, glamor, fashion and style. Myssah is North America’s Sensational Pop Star giving record breaking performances with Top Performers!… To name a few… UK’s Heartthrob Jay Sean, RDB, Raghav, Apache Indian, Kashif & the Bilz, Abrar, Atif Aslam, Amanat Ali and most of the top notch Artists from Pakistan and India.

Myssah's career is destined for continued success not only in Canada, USA, Pakistan & India but her fame is fast spreading across the world. Her success and popularity is largely due to her broad outlook in life and down to earth character that attracts and allures everyone who discovers her. On a more personal level, Myssah is an inspiration for youth around the South Asian Community due to her charisma, good looks, and love to aid and charity.

SO guys watch Myssah's newly released Single "Mera Pyar" on her website www.saimakhan.com today and make sure you "Like" her on her Facebook page.