MAINSTAGE 2025-2026
Maktub: Ashes To Alchemy
Vidya Kotamraju
Photo: Stephanie Cragg
Maktub: Ashes To Alchemy
“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” - Paulo Coelho
Inspired by Paulo Coelho's novel, "The Alchemist", Maktub is a lush and deeply evocative dance performance and an eternal statement to the transforming power of living in the singular pursuit of one's individual dreams.
Choreographer Vidya Kotamraju blends dance, global music, NAVTAR® (a unique musical instrument), sets, projections to present the gripping tale of the inner human journey juxtaposed against the backdrop of the current refugee crisis. Uplifting and reflective, the performance experiments with multi-medium storytelling to depict the protagonist's journey in discovering one's purpose in life. In current times of turbulence, Maktub aims to bring hope and healing, through the universal language of dance.
Vidya Kotamraju
Vidya Kotamraju is a dance artist, choreographer, and educator based on the unceded territories of the MST Nations (Vancouver). She is the founder of House of Indian Dance, a platform dedicated to the learning and presentation of culturally grounded movement.
Her choreography reimagines Bharatanatyam for contemporary audiences, merging classical discipline with global influences, storytelling, and expressive physicality. Through her work, she explores themes of identity, migration, and resilience, creating performances that bridge tradition and modern expression.
Vidya’s works have been featured across Canada at festivals and venues including the Vancouver International Dance Festival, Diwali in BC, Diwalifest, Namaste Canada, and The Dance Centre’s Silk Route Festival. She has been an Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Centre and is a recipient of the Shade of Hope Award. Her training is rooted in mentorship under Jai Govinda (Canada), Bragha Bessell (India), and Sheila Kumar (India).
www.vidyadance.com | Instagram: @vidyakotamraju
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Performance History:
Premiere: March 2024, Key City Theatre, Cranbrook, BC, Canada (Theatre)
Oct 2025, BC Live Pacific Contact, Vancouver, Canada (Pitch and Perform, Theatre)
June 2024, Thousand Faces Festival, Edmonton, Canada (Theatre)
July 2025, New Works All Over The Map, Vancouver, Canada (Outdoors)
Oct 2025, BC Live Pacific Contact, Vancouver (Theatre)
April 2026: RCA Presents, Rotary Centre For The Arts, Kelowna, Canada (Theatre)
Project Created by: Vidya Kotamraju
Key Artistic Collaborators: Music Composition, Direction, NAVTAR® and Voice: Vishnu R.
Residency Mentor: Bijayini Satpathy
Outside Eye: Nova Bhattacharya
Trailer Videography: Jo Hirabayashi
Performance type: THIS WORK IS BUILT FOR THEATRE, THIS WORK IS ADAPTABLE TO THEATRE OR OUTDOORS OR ALTERNATE VENUES /SPACES
How do you define this work: Dance/Theatre
Length of performance: 30 - 55 minutes
Audience type: Children/Family, General Audience, Other (i.e. audiences who have similar embodied experiences with subject material)
General Technical Requirements: Simple props (available with artist), 1 projector, Hazer, Dance floor, Audio
Required amount of time for tech set up: A tech residency of at least 1 day is preferred.
Alternative Venues: Maktub: Ashes to Alchemy can be presented in a range of spaces, from proscenium theatres to galleries, community halls, and outdoor settings.
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 1
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1
Availabilities: 2025/26 Season, 2026/27 Season
Project Details
Community Engagement
Yes, I will offer An Exploration of Bharata Natyam workshop.
Community To Engage With:
We aim to engage with diverse communities, including dance enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, individuals interested in Indian classical arts, and those who appreciate the philosophical aspects of traditional dance forms. The workshop will benefit both local community members and cultural centers that support Indian art forms.
Age Group:
The workshop is open to all age groups, ages 12+ to seniors.
Outreach Activities
Audience Participation in Performance
As an integral component of the performance, we invite members of the audience to actively participate in conveying their thoughts and emotions about the "Refugee Crisis." This engagement seeks to create a collective sense of empathy and awareness among diverse individuals.