Menaka THAKKAR

1942 - 2022

THAKKAR, Menaka March 3, 1942 – February 5, 2022 Menaka's life was devoted to dance. Born in Bombay, she trained in the Indian classical dance styles of Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kuchipudi. After moving to Toronto in 1972, she started Nrtyakala Academy of Dance. Its graduates formed the core of her professional Menaka Thakkar Dance Company. Performing across Canada, Menaka helped introduce classical Indian dance to the Canadian arts world. She choreographed a large number of original works, many fusing Indian and Western dance. Her accomplishments were recognized by many honours, including a DLitt from York University, the Canada Council's Walter Carsen Prize, the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement in dance, and induction in the DCD Dance Hall of Fame. Menaka was predeceased by her parents Bhanuchandra and Manorama (Mehta) Thakkar, her sister Sudha (Abdullah) Khandwani, and her brothers Rasesh Thakkar and Rashmi (Sudha) Thakkar. She is survived by her sister Pragna (Philip) Enros, brother Nidhi (Villoo) Thakkar, and nephews and nieces Madhava (Kate) Enros, Sonali (Zach) Thakkar, Shivani (Rushabh) Thakkar and Zubin (Tushara) Thakkar. She was also loved by her students and will be fondly remembered by them and her dance colleagues. Menaka died in Toronto due to complications from Alzheimer's. Her ashes will be scattered at a later date. Condolences may be left on her memorial at Turner and Porter's website.