By: Shama Harrysingh
SOUTH FLORIDA – Champa Chameli is a prominent Indian Classical dancer, choreographer and instructor. She is the founder/ director of the Champa Chameli Dance Group for imparting training in dance and drama in Trinidad and Tobago and South Florida.
Champaji was born in Chaguanas, Trinidad . From an early age she was fascinated with Indian arts and Culture. She became deeply involved with various cultural and religious organizations and started dancing, singing bhajans, playing the harmonium and tabla in the Temples and other community events.
In 1980, Champaji graduated from Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School, and under the tutelage of of India’s prominent classical dancers Pratab and Priya Pawar for a short period, she decided to pursue her dream and become a professional classical dancer.
She was able to enhance her skills beyond dancing.
Champa Chameli
Champa’s artistic talents extended to acting as well, she has choreographed several dance-dramas and in 1993, she wrote and directed a play for Best Village in Trinidad and Tobago.
She has traveled to many countries as a cultural ambassador, representing Trinidad and Tobago in Canada, Guyana, Barbados and The United States where she taught dancing and Bal Vikas classes to the youths – Spiritual Education designed to impart the values of Sanathana Dharma.
She has participated in Mastana Bahar talent show, Indian Variety and other Cultural television programs in Trinidad and Tobago in which she was always a finalist. She was also a member of the Divali Nagar in Trinidad.
In 1993 she migrated to Ft Lauderdale where she saw a thirst for classical Indian dance and because of her love and passion for the arts, she immediately started a dance class at the Methodist Church in North Lauderdale which to this day is quite successful.
Classes are now held at the Shiva Lingam Temple in Margate and are divided into Junior and Senior groups ranging from ages five and above.
She teaches Bollywood, semi-classical, folk, devotional & film style dance classes.
Her group performs at many cultural events including Divali Nagar US, Temples, Phagwah, Martin Luther King’ events, The Consulate of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, The Asian and Greek festivals.
She utilize her talents to give back to the community by performing at many charity events. “I take it a step further raising funds for scholarships and medical needs for the less fortunate children. I mentor the youths, which is challenging for them in American society, I encourage them to participate in various activities and to pursue their education. My contribution is to volunteer and share my knowledge of the arts with the children in the community with great love and devotion. I try to make a difference in their lives by teaching them to be positive and constructive” said the multi-talented Champa.
Champaji continues to bring tremendous dedication to propagating and preserving Indian arts and culture.
Largely self-taught, she has received several awards locally and internationally for her outstanding contribution to arts and culture.
“My idol is Maduri Dixit, She is such a skill dancer. Lata Mangeskar will always be my singing idol the queen of music.” said the beautiful Champa with a big smile.
