Under One Roof with Kavitha and Imaran of Maya Dance Theatre

In a shophouse tucked away in the hustle and bustle of Kerbau Road, dancers of all abilities move together in a small studio filled with music and quiet determination. For Kavitha Krishnan and Imran Syed, the co-founders of Maya Dance Theatre (MDT), these moments capture what their company stands for: inclusion, empathy, and connection through the arts.

From tradition to transformation

Founded in 2007, Maya Dance Theatre began as a space that brought together traditional Asian dance and contemporary performance, a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural identity. For Kavitha, a trained occupational therapist, and Imran, a dancer and educator, this fusion wasn’t just about artistic style, but also about people.

“We wanted to create work that resonated with our society; its diversity, its challenges, its stories,” Kavitha shares. “The arts have always been a bridge between people.”

Over the years, their works have explored themes of mental health, social justice, and belonging, often inviting audiences to reflect on shared human experiences. Productions like Bhumi and Wild Flowers brought together dancers from different backgrounds, creating performances that were not just shows, but platforms for connection.

The Diverse Abilities Dance Collective (DADC)

One of Maya Dance Theatre’s most defining initiatives is the Diverse Abilities Dance Collective (DADC), housing a community of dancers with and without disabilities who train, create, and perform together.

“DADC is about seeing people for their abilities, not their limitations,” Imran explains. “Inclusion is not just about inviting someone in; it’s about walking the journey together.”

Through DADC’s structured training tracks, participants are encouraged to discover their own form of movement, whether they are beginners learning to express themselves through dance, or co-creators choreographing pieces performed locally and abroad. Some members, like June and Jiaying, have gone on to perform at national events such as NDP 2025, proving that talent shines brightest when given the space and opportunity to grow.

Dance as a shared language

For Kavitha and Imran, Singapore’s multicultural landscape provides good ground for collaboration and understanding. Their dancers come from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, learning from one another’s forms and traditions.

“It’s not just about learning steps,” Kavitha says. “It’s about learning stories, rituals, and meaning. That’s what makes it truly Singaporean.”

Through dance, Maya Dance Theatre has created more than performances, building a space where everyone has a place, a rhythm, and a voice.

Under One Roof by Peatix celebrates community builders like Kavitha and Imran, whose work reminds us that beyond entertaining, Art connects, uplifts, and allows us to move together as one.