Homage to Sarasi Raj

The Indo-Canadian community is mourning the loss of Sarasi Raj, a woman who will be remembered for her passion for the arts and as a mentor to her many young students. The Pierrefonds resident died June 29.

Raj was the founder of the PEALI Arpani Academy of Dance (Presentation, Entertainment, Arts, and Literature of India).

Known for her positive outlook and caring attitude, “she was an inspiration to Indian children, and helped to instill in them a sense of pride in their roots,” said her daughter Kalpalatha Thiagarajan, adding, “her mission was also to open Canadians’ hearts and minds to Indian culture.”

Raj and her family emigrated in 1971, settling in Kitimat, B.C., where she established the first branch of PEAI, which still exists today.

In 1975, they relocated to the West Island, where she opened the principal branch of the school a few years later.

Since then, 70 young dancers have graduated from PEALI, following years of rigourous training in Bharatanatyam, a deeply symbolic form of dance that dates back centuries and pays homage to the Hindu temple dancers.

Both Thiagarajan and her brother Ram Ramanan are graduates of PEALI, and continue to pass on the tradition to another generation through the teaching of the ancient art.

Raj was highly respected for her contributions, and was lauded by several prestigious organizations, including NACOI (National Association of Canadians of Origins in India), which named her Outstanding Indo-Canadian in the 1980s.

Widely considered an authority in her field, Raj was often called upon to critique performances, and also choreographed and wrote numerous dance dramas, short stories, and other articles. Thiagarajan plans to publish a book of her writings to coincide with the first anniversary of her death.

Raj was herself a gifted dancer, frequently performing on television and at the India pavillion at Man and His World.

“She always kept in touch with her former students; when she passed away we heard from people from all over Canada and from India. They never forgot her,” Thiagarajan said.

A profoundly spiritual woman, Raj was cremated in the Hindu tradition, and her ashes scattered in the rapids at Ste. Anne de Bellevue.

“My mom was at peace with her mortality. Our religion teaches us that in death you are reborn.”

Thaigarajan will keep her memory alive by continuing Raj’s life’s work with PEALI.