Setu Bandhana Presentations (SBP) was born from the vision and drive of Samyuktha Punthambekar, an Indo-Canadian first-generation immigrant dance artist, educator, writer, arts manager, and cultural consultant. You can explore more about her work and writing through the hyperlinks on our Our Village page.

Taking on the role of arts presenter for the first time, Samyuktha began conceptualizing SBP in January 2023. Her motivation stemmed from personal and professional experiences as a first-generation artist navigating the challenges of building a career in the arts. This vision took form in September 2023 with the official launch of Setu Bandhana Presentations. SBP emerged as a response to the need for platforms that recognize and support the artistic contributions of South Asian movement practitioners, especially those rooted in classical and traditional forms. As part of its broader Resource Hub, SBP also supports leadership development and professional growth in arts administration, encouraging emerging South Asian arts workers to pursue more visible roles in shaping the future of the sector.

Founder and Executive-Artistic Director Samyuktha Punthambekar, based in Ottawa, brings with her a rich background in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Indian folk dance traditions. Her training at the esteemed Kalakshetra Foundation in India laid the foundation for an international performance career. Through her journey, she recognized the need for a space that honored the experiences of artists and offered opportunities to grow, lead, and thrive. SBP was envisioned as a platform that would highlight and celebrate the movement traditions of South Asian immigrant artists. Its focus extends beyond dance to include allied forms such as martial arts, weaving a shared space for performance, collaboration, and creative exploration.

SBP made its debut with the inaugural concert Woven Journeys, which drew audiences into the rich narratives and rhythmic expressions of South Asian cultural traditions. This event marked the beginning of what promises to be a growing initiative committed to spotlighting the unique artistic voices of immigrant artists and enriching the Canadian cultural landscape.