Meet Our Board
A truely creative and dedictaed board leads Manushi Dance Company. As well as good governance, their aim and duty is ensure that best learning environment is provided for both children and adults.
Raju Ladwa
Board Director
Raju Ladwa is a valued member of the Manushi Dance Board of Directors and has been a steadfast supporter of the company since its inception. Now happily retired from BMI Airlines, Raju brings decades of professional experience, practical wisdom, and a strong commitment to community and cultural development. He has been instrumental in providing strategic guidance, financial oversight, and hands-on support to Manushi Dance, ensuring the company’s stability and growth. Beyond his board responsibilities, Raju is a passionate advocate for the arts, helping to connect Manushi with networks, partners, and resources that strengthen the company’s outreach, projects, and performances. His dedication and encouragement continue to be a vital part of Manushi’s ongoing success and sustainability.
Louise Fedotov-Clements
Chair of Manushi Dance
Louise Fedotov-Clements is an experienced cultural leader, director and curator with a distinguished career in the arts. She is currently the Director of Photoworks a uk based internationally engaged charity and ACE NPO focused on the development and expansion of photography with artists and audiences through residencies, awards, exhibitions and commissions, as well as the Photoworks Festival. Previously Artistic Director of QUAD an centre for contemporary art and film; and National Curator of Contemporary Art for Forestry England, where she developed innovative arts programmes across landscapes and communities. Louise is also the Co-Founder, and Patron of the FORMAT International Photography Festival, one of the UK’s leading photography events, and previously served as its Director for many years. With a background in music as a bassist for the band MUHA, she brings a deep appreciation for the power of performance and creativity in connecting people. Educated at the University of Manchester, Louise combines curatorial expertise with a passion for supporting cross-cultural and interdisciplinary projects. Vice chair of Inspirate, trustee of Pagrav Dance and advisory board member of Archivo. A kathak dancer since 1999 she has performed worldwide and was awarded the Milan Fellowship to study kathak in India. As Chair of Manushi Dance, she provides strategic vision and guidance, championing the company’s mission to share the joy and accessibility of South Asian dance with diverse audiences.
Vina Ladwa
Artistic Director and Teacher
Vina Ladwa, Artistic Director of Manushi Dance, has taught and performed Kathak for several decades. A passionate teacher and performer, she is equally committed to exploring how dance can inspire, heal and connect communities. Vina began working with older people through a project with Dance4, and since then has led innovative programmes with diverse groups, from South Asian elders to people with dementia, care home residents, wheelchair users, and hospice patients. Her work demonstrates the transformative power of participatory dance. As she says: “Engaging with participatory art can improve the wellbeing of older people and mediate against the negative effects of becoming older.” Vina’s practice is rooted in authenticity. She uses real Kathak and folk dance movements, combined with mudras (hand gestures), storytelling, rhythm, and expression. Her vision is to expand the use of South Asian dance for emotional and physical wellbeing while maintaining cultural depth and artistic excellence. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Vina Ladwa moved to the UK in 1968. From a young age, she showed a deep passion for Indian dance, which has guided her lifelong artistic journey. Vina trained in Kathak, one of the seven classical forms of Indian dance, beginning with Nilima Devi and continuing her studies through both short- and long-term training with renowned gurus including Sujata Banerjee, Shrimati Kumudini Lakhiya, Pandit Birju Maharajji, Saswati Sen, Shrimati Maya Rao, and Vijay Shankarji.
