meetinchicago.com MANDALA SOUTH ASIAN PERFORMING ARTS “With the changing demographics of Chicago, we thought it was important to have a platform for Asian dance and music,” says dancer and choreographer Pranita Nayar. “That was largely missing in the Midwest.” To fill that need, Nayar founded performing ensemble and dance academy Mandala South Asian Performing Arts. This company of award-winning dancers and musicians has been sharing rich traditional Indian and South Asian culture with Chicago since 2014. Nayar’s career of dance and choreography spans nearly 30 years. She choreographed for Shakira at the MTV Video Music Awards and performed at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, among other prestigious events. Mandala provides both community and private performances around Chicago. “Sometimes our clients don’t know what they’re looking for. They say, ‘We want 30 minutes to entertain our audience.’ We get a feel for the age, the industry, and the occasion. Is it a scientific seminar or a breast cancer awareness event? And then we theme it accordingly.” Ensembles usually include two or three dancers, but larger groups can also be arranged with as many as 80 performers. Mandala South Asian Performing Arts The Quarry Event Center Explore even more minority-owned vendors.
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2023: Page 35
