From Tamil school stages to the FIFA World Cup

For many Tamil performers, the journey begins on community stages during annual cultural shows, temple events, and Tamil school performances. This is where a love for dance is first discovered. For Toronto-based dancer Kajaanan Navaratnam, that early connection to Tamil culture became the foundation for an international performance career, eventually leading him to one of the biggest sporting events in the world: the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Canada.

Canada was one of the three host countries for this year’s FIFA World Cup, alongside the United States and Mexico, and Toronto served as one of the tournament’s host cities.

Kajaanan’s journey into dance began at the age of 12. Growing up surrounded by Tamil cultural events, he was inspired by his father’s skits and older dancers performing at annual shows and wanted to be part of that world. “I remember going to these shows and looking up to the older brothers who were dancing,” he said. “That was where I was introduced to dance.”

From the ages of 12 to 18, Kajaanan trained and performed with Tamil dance groups, taking part in stage performances and competitions, including the Thaalam competition before the pandemic. These experiences helped him build confidence as a performer.

After the pandemic, he began exploring new styles through online hip-hop training. This opened a new direction for his dancing and encouraged him to pursue the art form more seriously. “After the pandemic, I started doing hip-hop training online, and that made me want to pursue dance further and do it full-time,” he explained.

The opportunity to perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony came through an audition process that attracted hundreds of dancers from all over Canada.

A choreographer involved in the Toronto production announced auditions, and Kajaanan decided to apply. Although he already knew of the choreographer’s work from following him on social media, he did not expect the scale of the selection process.

Around 600 people auditioned, with only 100 dancers ultimately selected to be part of the performance.

The preparation that followed was intense and highly organised. Rehearsals took place almost every day over a two-week period. Dancers were separated into different groups and assigned specific roles within the production, including sections involving large animal figures as part of the choreography.

While the rehearsals were demanding, especially under the summer sun during outdoor practices, Kajaanan described the experience as challenging but rewarding.

“The toughest thing was rehearsing under the sun. Outdoor rehearsals are draining, but they were also so much fun,” he said.

Despite weeks of preparation, Kajaanan said he did not fully understand the scale of the performance until he stepped onto the field.

“It was crazy! While I was rehearsing, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the performance,” he reflected. When the moment arrived, the atmosphere was unlike anything he had experienced before.

“The stadium was packed. Hopping onto that field and feeling everyone’s energy was surreal. This was a different level as people from all around the world were coming to see this.”

The response afterwards made the significance of the performance even clearer. Messages from followers internationally showed him that the performance had reached far beyond the stadium itself. “Getting replies from people internationally was a step further for sure,” he said.

For Kajaanan, performing at such a major international event carried personal meaning. Although the choreography was created by the production team, his presence itself represented a member of the Tamil diaspora contributing to a global cultural moment.

Kajaanan has previously performed alongside major South Asian artists, including Indian music sensation Anirudh, as well as other large-scale productions. He described the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony as an experience on another level because of its worldwide reach.

When asked about dancers and artists who inspire him, Kajaanan highlighted several figures who have shaped his understanding of performance.

At the top of his list is Prabhu Deva. His creativity and movement style continue to influence him. “I always go back to his videos and get amazed by him,” he said. He also mentioned Ravi Varma, who helped introduce Western street dance styles into Tamil music. Finally, Usha Jey, whose ability to combine Bharatanatyam and hip-hop while maintaining her Tamil identity has been particularly inspiring.

“For me, seeing someone who is Tamil in the industry without losing their identity is something I look up to and strive for,” he said.

For young Tamils hoping to pursue dance or any creative passion, Kajaanan’s advice is simple.

“Just do it,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be just dance; it can be anything you are passionate about. Whatever you put hard work into will come back to you full circle. Try it out and see what happens.”

From Tamil school stages to a FIFA World Cup performance watched around the world, Kajaanan’s journey shows how cultural roots and ambition can come together. It is also a celebration of a new generation of Tamil artists taking the creativity of the diaspora to the biggest stages imaginable.