Paromita Kar is the first to complete a PhD in Dance Studies in Canada (York University, 2014). She is a performer of the classical Indian Odissi dance, as well as dances of Central Asia and the Middle East. She is a Toronto-based the lead dancer and choreographer of Ensemble Topaz, an integrated dance-music ensemble dedicated to performing traditions of the Silk Road, including regions of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
An award-winning dancer, Paromita’s work and dance journey has been supported by grants from Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Hamilton Arts Council, and the Shastri Indo-Canada Fine Arts Fellowship. She has performed in Canada, Netherlands, Czech Republic, India, and the United States. Select Canadian performances include at National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Shenkman Arts Centre (Ottawa), Toronto International Dance Festival, Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, Aga Khan Museum, Royal Ontario Museum, TD Festival of South Asia, Friends of India Gala in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a 6-city tour of Northern Ontario, and La Salle Oscar Pearson in Montreal.