The Odissi Profiles

Aloka Kanungo

2011-01-16T00:29:00.000-05:00

One of the leading classical dancers of India, Aloka Kanungo is a rare combination of dancer, choreographer, teacher & scholar. A worthy heir to the art of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, she is a name with in the Odissi genre. Endowed with a well-proportioned body, fluent face, expressive eyes and natural beauty in body movement, she has disciplined her body into supple and flexible grace and her mind into a subtle aesthetic emotion so that she translates with effortless grace the quintessence of Odissi dance into sculpturesque beauty and soulful expression.

She combines single-handed devotion and indefatigable industry with a keen and questioning mind. Her style has an elegance & dignity, which captures the audience. Her innovative creative ideas find expression through the language of dance in her much-appreciated productions, where she experiments with Bandha and Stapatya satya.
A child prodigy

Aloka Kanungo proved herself as a child prodigy at a tender age both as a born dancer and a versatile artist at the All India Radio, Cuttack. She was the youngest actress at the All India Radio, Cuttack and played the pivotal roles in plays like "Matira Phoola", "Bissa Piyusa" and "Dukhi".

She stole millions hearts and was a popular household name in Orissa. She was felicitated, when she was only six and half years old by Kalindi Charana Panigrahi, the renowned poet, (father of Mrs. Nandini Satpathi, ex-chief minister of Orissa) for her memorable performance at Janata Ranga Mancha, Cuttack. She acted in Oriya film 'Matira Manisa' directed by Mr. Mrinal Sen.
A danseuse par excellence

Though Aloka was beginning to become to become quite a house-hold name as a budding actress, she preferred to be a dancer and soon became a name to reckon with in the dance field. Initially trained by Guru Raghunatha Dutta and Guru Mayadhar Rout, she blossomed into a fine dancer under the tutelage and watchful eyes of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. She received "Nritya Shree","Nritya Visharad" and "Nritya Praveen" from Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack. She has received many prestigious awards, including the Shiromoni Puroshkar and the Mahari Award.
To know more about Aloka Kanungo, click here.
Awards

* Citation from Viswa Bharati, Shantiniketan
* Udayshankar Award from Pratisruti Parishad
* Sringarmoni from Sursingar Samsad, Mumbai
* Siromoni Award from Asian Paints
* Outstanding Young Person Award from Indian Junior Chambers
* Talented Ladies Award from Bharat Nirman
* Mahari Award : Guru Pankaj Charan Das Odissi Research Foundation
* Graded Outstanding dancer by I.C.C.R
* Placed in Top Grade by Doordarshan Central Audition Committee
* Received National Scholarship from Dept. of Culture, Govt.of India
* Received Junior Fellowship from Dept. of Culture, Govt.of India
* Senior Fellowship from Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi

2010-10-11T15:41:00.031-04:00

In Memory of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan

The Odissi community mourns the loss of the beloved Guru Gangadhar Pradhan - one of the foremost exponents of Odissi Dance - and the Founder-Director of Konark Natya Mandap and Orissa Dance Academy. He began his Odissi training at age six as a Gotipua dancer. After completing his Natya Acharya in Odissi from Utkal Sangeet Mohavidyalaya under able guidance of Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Dr. Minati Mishra and Guru Deb Prasad Das, he received intensive training from Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra. He was also a maestro Mardala player.

A recipient of the State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1993 and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1998, the Padmashree award from the President of India in 2008, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan also served as the President of Orissa Satate Sangeet Natak Akademic, and promoted and preserved the classical tradition and culture through the Konark Dance and Music Festival, Dhauli Mahotsav, Kalinga kala Utsav and Odissi Sandhya every year in Orissa.

Gangadhar Pradhan begins his Odyssey on Odissi

By Barnali Pal in Konark - The Deccan Herald

Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legendary Odissi icon, will always be remembered and revered throughout the world as the guru who took it upon himself to carry Odissi dance to lofty heights.

Gangadhar Pradhan receiving Padma Shri from President Pratibha Patil.Now a frail-looking man with grit and steely determination has vowed likewise to showcase Odissi to the outside world, as well as project and promote Orissa’s rich cultural heritage. He is Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, himself an accomplished Odissi dancer and founder-director of Konark Natya Mandap and Orissa Dance Academy.

Guru Gangadhar Pradhan’s transition from a Gotipua (a dance tradition dating back to 16th century in which young boys dressed up as girls perform) to a musician and Odissi dancer, to a guru came through his numerous performances, choreography both in India and abroad and association with the extraordinary dancing sensations like late Sanjukta Panigrahi.

“My mother-in-law and social worker Sushilavati Swain asked me to start some cultural activity in Konark, so we acquired a piece of land in 1978. Two years later, we built a mud hut and called it the Konark Nata Mandap. Every Sunday we had a meeting and artistes from the nearby areas would come and spend the entire day singing, dancing and playing various musical instruments,” Gangadhar Pradhan says. This created an ambience of culture. The mandap’s activity started in 1980 as a small get-together but soon there was no looking back as it paved the way for the five-day
international Konark Dance and Music Festival, that is held every year in this small town of Orissa.

Besides, the Konark Nata Mandap was re-christened Konark Natya Mandap (KNM). It has undergone several changes over the years. And, it has finally taken the shape of the replica of the world famous Sun Temple.

“The festival started in 1986 on the day of Shivaratri. But the seeds of the festival were sown in my mind when I had gone to the Swedish embassy and saw posters of the Khajuraho Festival there. That’s how the idea of the Konark Dance and Music Festival took shape in my mind,” remarks Pradhan.

In the true sense, it was the harbinger of the contemporary festivals of Odisha. “The main objective of the festival is not merely to provide entertainment but to educate and refine. It aims to harmoniously blend the classical, spiritual, tribal and folk
aspects of the glorious cultural traditions.”

Built through the painstaking efforts of Gangadhar Pradhan, KNM now is a performer’s delight. A replica of the natyashala of the scintillating and stupendous Sun Temple of Konark, it provides the right kind of ambience for artistes, connoisseurs and art lovers from India and abroad.

The KNM serves as a temple of learning. Following the glorious traditions of Guru Kula Parampara, it provides teaching and training in dance, music, yoga and theatre. Classes on Odissi dance, Gotipua dance, mardal, tabla and Odissi music are being conducted on its premises. Experienced gurus and teachers share their experience with students who get the privilege of presenting their skill on the three stages erected on the premises.

That apart, KNM is functioning as an institution of cultural consultancy in the state for the growth and propagation of Odissi, tradition and classical art forms both at national and international levels. The mandap has shouldered a big responsibility of popularising Odissi dance and the sculptural epic Konark has metamorphosed into a living Konark.

Talking about his dream, Gangadhar Pradhan says that something should be happening in KNM throughout the year. “Now there is a festival happening 220 days in a year.” He is confident of achieving his goal by the middle of this decade.

Explaining about Living Konark, he said that people had seen Konark in stone, now they would see the living Konark and the dancing Konark. Once, this dream materialised, there would be a computerised film on Konark that would be screened.

“When I had given wings to my imagination, I had dreamt of the future 1000 years’ history which takes into account the cultural, spiritual and ritualistic aspects. The triangle of Konark-Puri-Bhubaneswar-Chilka will develop tourism as well as culture. What the tourist sees in one place will not be repeated in other places, so he or she will get to see something new each time,” he added.

This Odissi dance guru whose sole aim is to promote Odissi to the outside world has created teachers, students and even about three dozen organisations in the country as well as abroad. Gangadhar Pradhan has the vision and his dreams of cultural integration becoming a reality is only a matter of time. He can do it, for he has 'miles to go,
before he sleeps’. Tennyson would come alive one day to write of Gangadhar’s passion ‘Men may come and men may go, but I go on forever...’

[From: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/101465/gangadhar-pradhan-begins-his-odyssey.html]

Odissi workshop by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan

Your remembrances may be posted by clicking "comments" below

Jenny Dakini

2010-08-05T01:07:00.000-04:00

Jenny Dakini has been longing since the earliest year of her youth. Her path took her all around the world, on the search for answers, it was then when she realized that the answer was always right there, “within” her. The longest journey began and is on; Yoga is her way of living and DANCE her ecstasy.

It was love on the first sight, when Jenny saw Odissi Dance for the first time at a Temple Festival in India. It was there where she met her beloved Guruji a Master Drummer, Dancer and Choreographer from Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Since then Jenny has been studying under his guidance very intensively and Odissi became one of the most important aspect in her life. Since ever Jenny has dreamed of being a dancer, her soul desire became true. Today Jenny has been performing and teaching in different parts of the world and is passionate about sharing the divine secrets of Odissi sacred Dance. Jenny is living in Bali, explore and experience now on the island of the gods, the magical world of sacred ancient temple dance… Odissi.

“Since de dawn of all creations, the cult of beauty has aroused. The circle of life has been created and where life is, there is beauty and where beauty is, there is love.

Without love the creation of beauty is not possible. We have been restless creating beauty because we have been restless soughing for love, we have been restless trying to discover the secret workings of the universe and the purpose of our existence.

It is very simple; God always has and always will create beauty, because he loves beauty and what you create out of love that is what you really are.

Dance is the creation of our souls. Our souls needed to be heard and its words have been transformed into movements. Dance, the language of the soul was one of the first languages in existence. Already many thousand years ago our souls needed to express their selves and the creation of music and dance has since ever than formed part of every single culture/tradition/community on earth and has the unique ability to unite all beings and invoke happiness, joy and the indescribable bliss, we are all living for.”

Contact or write Jenny:

yogadancedakini@gmail.com

www.yogadancedakini.com

Ramya Ragini Pati

2010-07-12T00:02:00.005-04:00

Ramya Ragini Pati first began learning Odissi Dance at the tender age of 4. Under the guidance of her Guru she has performed at several stage shows all over the India.

As a soloist Ms. Ramya prefers performing abhinaya but she has also learned six different kinds of Pallavia; Pallavi, Basant Pallavi, Kalyan Pallavi, Kalavati Pallavi and Kafi Pallavi. She performs abhinayas from the Geeta Govindam or from poems by poets Banamali Dash and Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja etc. In Mangalacharan Ramya has learned Kalika and Ganesh Tandava. Apart from two kinds of Batu Nritya she has also learned two varieties of Mokshya Nata.

------------------------------------------------------------

Guru’s Name: Sri Bharat Charan Giri
School of Dance: Bharati Nritya Mandir
Style of Dance: Guru Deba Prasad Das School of Dance
Qualification in Dance: Nritya Visarad with distinction from
Gandharva: Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai.
Educational Qualification: MBA.

( In India )
-- Soorya festival,Trivendrum 2005
-- Surajkand Mela,Haryana 2006
-- Chattarpur Shiv Ratri Utsav,Delhi 2006
-- Bharat Parva,Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh 2003
-- Ustaad Allaudin Sangeet Samaroho,Jhansi Madhya Pradesh 2004
-- Shantiniketan festival,West Bengal 2003
-- Bisnupur festival,West Bengal 2003
-- Nababadweep festival,West Bengal 2004
-- Ujjain Kumbha mela,Madhaya Pradesh 2004

Other Performances
In Orissa State-Bhubaneshwar,Cuttack,Talcher, Puri,Keonjhar, Damanjodi,Koraput,Dhenkanal,bouad,Paradeep and various other places.
Media Performances
--She has performed several dance dramas with group,solo and duet choreography by my Guru Sri Bharat Charan Giri for various channels like Doordarshan , Orissa Television ( OTV ) and Etv.

For more information, Ramya Ragini Pati may be reached at: rammya_99@yahoo.co.in

August 16: Raas Lila (New Delhi)

2010-07-09T18:18:00.002-04:00

India Habitat Centre, New Delhi presents Odissi Dance Ballet - 'Raas Lila' based on the dying art form Padabali Kirtan by Smt Debamitra Sengupta & her troupe under HCL Concert Series on August, 16 at 7.00 pm.

Rajashri Praharaj

2010-07-04T17:20:00.003-04:00

Rajashri Praharaj is an accomplished artiste of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana of Odissi. She has been dancing since early age. Her formal training in Srjan (Odissi Nrityabasa) as a resident student under the able tutelage of her Guru Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, made her capable to master the art and technique of Odissi dance. Rajashri has imbibed within herself the essence of this style with purity and perfection. Her dance has the excellent blend of sensuous movement and graceful footwork with absolute control of laya. She has performed widely as a soloist in India and internationally at Bangkok, Malaysia and USA. She has also traveled with the repertory group of Srjan and attended the master classes in Summer Workshop 2002 and 2003 conducted by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

A versatile with immense potential, Rajashri charms the audience with her beauty and grace combined with her confidence on the stage. she has participated in Kalke Kalakar of Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai and won the “Sringaramani” title. In the year 2004, the Ministry of Culture, Govt.of India, has awarded her the National scholarship in Odissi dance. For the Deepavali Festival 2007 She was invited to perform at Vedic Heritage, New York by Her Holiness Guruma Smt. Jyotishanand Saraswati in Pt. Jasraj Auditorium. She has been awarded “Nalanda Nrutya Nipuna 2008” for her outstanding performance in Odissi dance at Mumbai Festival in 2007.

Rajasri’s performance in Odissi Dance Festival, organized by Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy - the New Indian Express in one of its reviews writes that – Rajashri’s technical perfection combined with feminine grace gave glimpses of her bright future as a promising dancer with distinct signature of the Kelucharan ‘Gharana’.

Apart from performing, Rajashri is also involved in teaching Odissi. Although totally dedicated to dance, Rajashri has also obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Cutural University, Orissa.

Arpita Venkatesh

2010-07-04T15:52:00.003-04:00

Arpita Venkatesh is a young talented exponent of the age old dance form Odissi. Her talents rejuvenated under the able tutelage of renowned Odissi exponent Smt. Aloka Kanungo in Shinjan Nrityalaya. Initial guidance was provided to her by the maestro Guru Shri Muralidhar Majhi. She has also taken active part in prestigious productions of her Guru Smt. Aloka Kanungo such as Shakti, Sthapatya Satya, Gatagata etc. she is now also assisting Guru Smt. Aloka Kanungo. Her intimate interaction with the veteran guru of Manipuri Smt. Kalavati Devi in Maharaas, has further ameliorated her as a dancer.

This young dancer has received the prestigious Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Govt. of India, to do research on comparative studies on “Karanas”. Her own production Satyam Jnanam Anantam which is approved by Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Depertment of Culture, Govt of India brought her a lot of critical acclaim. She has stood third in the Masters Degree Examination at Rabindra Bharati University and she has also secured third position in Sangeet Bivakar Examination under Bangiya Sangeet Parishad & has a unique distinction of procuring Nritya Ratna from Bangiya Sangeet Parishad and Sangeet Prabhakar from Prayag Sangeet Samity. Apart from all over India, she has performed in United Kingdom, Germany, Scotland, Bangladesh, Nepal etc.

What brings fulfillment to the achievements and aspirations of this young dancer is her role as teacher. She is engaged in bestowing her knowledge of Odissi to her students, who will carry on this ancient art form for years to come. She is a strict yet loving teacher when she perfects the postures of her students at her own school Malashree. Her efforts bore fruit when some of her students received the prestigious CCRT scholarship, Govt. of India. Malashree has also received a Govt. Grant for the production “Sabujer Deshe”. She has composed and choreographed several dance items, namely –

Satyam Jnanam Anantam
Sabujer Deshe
Chatusprana - Collage of Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak & Manipuri
Chanda Madhuri (Odissi Dance composed with Manipuri)
Jala – Sthala – Antariksha
Pancha Bhoot

ARPITA’S PERFORMANCES - AT A GLANCE
Memorable Solo Performances
Uday Shankar Dance Festival
Nrityanjali - at Rabindra Sadan – organized by Shinjan Nrityalaya.
Padatik Dance Centre
Utkal Divas – Organised by Utkal Shiksha Sansad
Geeta Jayanti Utsav
Ustad Bahadur Khan Sangeet Academy
Brahmin Baria Music Circle
Haldia Music Circle
ICCR Program in collaboration with Birla Academy
Dover Lane Music Conference for Lalit Kala Kendra (performed as well as choereographed).
Odissi Nritya Utsav organized by Rajya Sangeet Academy
Programme organized by ICCR – India’s Independence Celebration

Notable International Performances
Indian Embassy – Berlin, Germany
Programme at Nehru Centre – London, United Kingdom
Bengali Association - Scotland
Bangla Television – London, United Kingdom
ICC Organised Programme – Kathmandu, Nepal
Dhaka Television – Dhaka, Bangladesh

Media Performances
Doordarshan – Kolkata
ETV
SUN TV
Tara – Bangla
ATN – Bangla

Along with Guru Smt.Aloka Kanungo & Shinjan Nrityalaya
· Khajuraho Dance Festival
· Shri Shankar Dev Festival – Guwahati
· Soorya Festival – Trivandrum
· Swaralaya Festival – Palghat
· Thalam – Thrissur
· Festival of Folk Dance – Pune
· Spring festival – Rourkela Music Circle
· Utkal Divas
· Impressario India – New Delhi
· Nisha Gandhi Festival
· Kalaskhetra Annual Festival

Caroline Upasana Martin

2010-07-04T14:16:00.003-04:00

(USA - India - Nepal)

Caroline Upasana Martin's six years of study in Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam became a foundation to explore sacred dances of South Asia. In Nepal, she studies the Vajrayana Buddhist devotional dance Newar Charya Nrtya, based on the Tantric Charyapada once practiced throughout Orissa, Bengal, Assam & Nepal. In Delhi, she has recently began learning Odissi in the style of Surendranath Jena with Pratibha Jena Singh.

Caroline's work concerns both the internal bhakti experience involved in "transforming" oneself into the divine, as well as in studying and transmitting the historical and cultural connections between the region's sculpture, literature, arts and spiritual practices, in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. She is currently working on a living presentation of the Yogini Mandala, and presents lecture-demonstrations of Newar Charya Nrtya.

Caroline can be reached at sirensongs@yahoo.com
or
http://www.sirensongs.blogspot.com

Subhalaxmi Samal

2010-07-04T00:31:00.002-04:00

Born in 1985 Subhalaxmi Samal started learning Odissi dance in Art Vision in the year 1997 under the able guidance of Padmashree Guru Dr Ileana Citaristi. She has started her career as an Odissi dancer as a child artist. She is a dedicated Odissi dancer par excellence having 10+ years of stage performance exposure starting from the year 2000. She has by now given performances in all major festivals extensively through the state and country.Some of her noticeable performances were at palermo(Italy), Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Mysore, Banglore, Hydrabad, Chennai, Bokaro and Puri Beach Festival, Mukteswar Mohatsav, Dhauli Mohatsav, Konark Festival, Ekamra Festival,International Odissi Festival etc. in Orissa.

Her artistic qualification includes NRUTYA BHUSHAN (PURNA) from Sangeet Natak Academy and VISHARADA (PURNA) from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharba Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai. She had conferred with ‘ODISSI JYOTI’ award in the year of 2008.

She has completed her MA in Sociology from Utkal University, Orissa and she has totally dedicated herself to Odissi dance.

Subhalaxmi Samal can be reached at nrutya_udaya@yahoo.com

Odissi, Balinese Dance and Shakti dance

2010-07-03T23:09:00.001-04:00

Barbara Mintz will be offering ongoing classes and workshops in Buenos Aires, Argentina - September until mid December.

Classes will be offered in Odissi dance as well as Balinese Dance and Shakti dance.
Please contact for more information and details:

Barbara Mintz
bhava_dance@hotmail.com

www.rightangle.com/bhava http://www.bhavadance.wordpress.com/

Soumya Bose

2010-07-03T23:03:00.003-04:00

Soumya Bose initially trained into odissi dance at his hometown Kolkata, in his childhood, at Odissi Vision and Movement Centre, Soumya completed primary and secondary course of odissi dance there.He was soon drawn towards the fluidity and lyrical mysticism of pure Odissi. So, he came to orissa (The land of Lord Jagannath)for better training. He learnt odissi dance from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Center for two years. Now he is being further nurtured under Guru Shree Naba Kishore Mishra at 'Abartta '.and performing widely as a senior and solo artist in his troupe. He received the benefit of learning under the guidance of great teachers at Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre. He also had the privilege to learn from Guru Shree Manoranjan Pradhan. He is now continuing graduation in Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya ,Bhubaneswar.
EMAIL- ID-soumyabose21@yahoo.com

Nisha Leena Sinha Roy

2010-07-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

Dr. Nisha Leena Sinha Roy, a sishya of Dr. Chandrabhanu and Ambika
Docherty in Melbourne, Australia, was the first Odissi debutant from
the Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy (based in Melbourne). Her debut
was also the first Odissi Manchpravesh to be presented in Australia.

Nisha was born in Alor Setar, North Malaysia to parents of Bengali
origin. She grew up in the southern Malaysian town of Seremban where
she attended the Seremban Convent School both in her primary and
secondary years. Her family has been in the field of music and theatre
for several generations. Dwarkanath Ghosh, a forefather, invented the
first hand Dwarkin harmonium. She is the grandniece of Padmabhushan
Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, a singer, composer and tabla artist who
trained three generations of artists. Her grandmother, Anima Das Gupta
is a classical singer trained by the acclaimed Dagar Brothers; and
along with her mother became members of the Bengali Theatre movement
Bahurupi.

With a family background in Bengali Folk Dances and Rabindra Sangeet,
Nisha started dance at the age of 3, learning Bengali folk dances from
her mother Dr. Esha Das Gupta and Smt Dipti Pal, who trained under
Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra in Odissi. Nisha also started learning the
fundamentals of Bharata-Natyam at the age of 8 under Malaysian teacher
Krishna Kumari. She commenced studies in Bharata-Natyam and Odissi at
the Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy in 2003 and progressed in both
dance forms very steadily.

Over the years she has performed in several professional level
productions with Chandrabhanu and the Bharatalaya Academy. In Odissi,
the major part of her training has been done under Ambika Docherty,
who guided her from the basics to advanced repertoire work. Nisha has
participated in Odissi workshops held by the Bharatalaya Academy with
acclaimed guest and associate teacher and dancer from Mumbai, Daksha
Mashruwala from 2006 - 2008. She has also undertaken
Dance-in-Education performances in schools throughout Victoria,
Melbourne with Dr. Chandrabhanu and Ambika Docherty, as well as
trained under them for stage and lighting management. She has extended
her music studies with Hindustani and Odissi Vocal Music under Krushna
Chandra Ray.

Nisha holds a PhD in Mobile Information Systems Design from Monash
University, Melbourne, Australia.

Shayomita Dasgupta

2010-07-03T17:05:00.002-04:00

Shayomita Dasgupta's love for dance transcends all barriers and endows in her a feeling of heavenly bliss & tranquility. She delved into the arena at a very tender age of four when she nutured the nuances of Kathak & Manipuri form of dences. Subsequently, she welcomed with open arms other dance forms as well and took on Odissi in the early nineties as her source of sustenance and creativity. She recalls her acquaintances with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in 1995 as the turning point in her life and career. Along with the doyen, she churned up major roles in dance sequences which won her laurels. Her acquaintances with SRJAN brought her in close association to Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and mede her familiar with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Gharana. She has been performing in various TV channels with distinction notable Doordarshan, Tara Music, to name a few.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS IN THE FIELD OF ODISSI DANCE

Trained in Odissi form of dance under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed doyen of odissi dance Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Associated with Guru Ratikant Mohapatra through association of SRJAN.

Performing in various TV channels with distinction notably Doordarshan, Tara Music to name few.

Recipient of National Scholarship under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, awarded by The Ministry of Human Resources Development, New Delhi in 1996.

Awarded Sangeet Bivakar by Bangiya Sangeet Parishad in 1996.o Gold Medallist at Youth Festival in 1996.

Secured the first position in the competition organized by Paschim Banga rajya sangeet Academy in 2002.o Earned unqualified appreciation for participating in dance composition on‘Vande Mataram’ & also for appearing as Sita in dance drama ‘Dashanan’,both performed,directed & choreographed by Late Guru Kelacharan Mohapatra at Konark Festival in 2000. Awarded by India Theatre Olympiad,Orissa ‘National Nriya Bhushan Award,2009’.

Shayomita has also carved a niche for herself in the field of television as a tele-star darting out important & centralized characters in numerous occasions. With her never-ending desire to achieve the pinnacle of success and scale towering heights. Shayomita is all set to justify her credentials and give her heart and soul to this unique form of dance (ओदिस्सी)

Shayomita Dasgupta has earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gauhati University with a major in English.

http://shayomita.blogspot.com/

Guru Gangadhar Pradhan

2010-07-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

Guru Gangadhar Pradhan
GURU GANGADHAR PRADHAN FOUNDATION [INSTITUTE]
64 Kharavel Nagar, Unit - III,
Bhubaneswar 751001
Tele/Fax: +91 674 2390422.
Mobile: +91 99370 08022
Web: www.odissidance.com
Festival site: www.konarkfestival.com

Aurangabad, INDIA

2010-07-01T14:35:00.002-04:00

MAHAGAMI GURUKUL offers a value based training under Guru-shishya tradition in Odissi and Kathak Dance forms. Residential facility is available for the outstation students. Local students are also encouraged to stay in the hostels in order to facilitate early morning individual 'riyaaz' of the disciples. The lush green Gurukul campus wakes up with the drone of Tanpura, chanting of mnemonic syllables punctuated with resonant sound of Pakhawaj and 'ghungroos'.

Learning in the Gurukul Campus
Gurukul Sewa
Informal moments of Gurukul Inmates
The training at MAHAGAMI GURUKUL is focussed on the manifold evolution of each disciple not just as an art seeker, but also as a human being. Workshops, lectures, educational and concert tours, informal baithaks and AV presentations are frequently arranged for the disciples in addition to the regular training. The Gurukul campus, aptly named RTA (meaning truth / cosmic order) has a holistic approach with the Ayurvedic diet program and Nature therapies including Shrirodhara and Ayurveidc massage for the inmates. SADHANA Gurukul camp is organised every summer for outsiders to facilitate training and exposure to the Gurukul ambience - peaceful, inspiring and harmonious with nature.
ART FORMS
GURUKUL EVENTS
ART FORMS
GURUKUL EVENTS
SADHANA
GURU POORNIMA
SAMVAD
PADARPAN
SANKRAM
DRISHTIKON
AKALAN
ANUBHUTI
SADHANA

Annual Intensive Training Gurukul camp
Vocal Class
SADHANA is the annual Intensive training Gurukul camp organized by MAHAGAMI every summer from 1st May to 15th May. The camp offers a multi-dimensional training for the art seekers. Starting with a health check up, the day starts with Yoga at 6 am followed by Dance, Music, Instruments, Sanskrit, Vedic chants, Painting, Pottery... The schedule also includes Audio- Video sessions like films and video recordings of the eminent artists and their creations. The camp offers guest lectures on ancient Indian valued topics like, Ancient History, Ayurveda, Theatre, etc. An Ayurvedic diet is provided to all participants specially designed keeping in mind the calorie intake and the training schedule. This 15-day intensive training is being organized every year since 1999 and is open to all art aspirants of age above 10 years. SADHANA also enfolds interesting topics like Stargazing, Ancient Indian Science, Shadow Puppetry, Krishna Gatha, Slide Shows And Lectures on Ancient Heritage Sites Of India by renowned Historians, Hasya Yoga, Films And Lectures on Environment Awareness, Calligraphy, Brain - Teaser Games to improve concentration and focus, Music Appreciation Sessions, Sessions On Musicology And Etymology- all this and much more involving lot of group activities and innovative fieldwork sensitively blended in the training schedule from 6 am to 8 pm. For SADHANA, many eminent artists from all over India had been invited to teach, interact and perform.

SADHANA - In Retrospect:
SADHANA was conceptualised by Parwati Dutta (Kathak and Odissi performer & Guru and Director of MAHAGAMI). She is the academic head of the training program and teaches both Kathak and Odissi to the Sadhakas. SADHANA is being conducted every summer since 1999. In these years, SADHAKAs (SADHANA students) have had the privilege to receive guidance from prominent artists who contributed to this camp. Gurus like Pt. Birju Maharaj (Kathak), Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan (Kathakali), Guru Banmali Maharana (Mardal Guru, Bhubaneshwar), artists like Shri Shashadhar Acharya (Chhau), Shri. Uday Bhawalkar (Dhrupad Exponent, Pune) Smt. Sombala Satle, (Dhrupad exponent, Khairagad) . Session on Odissi music conducted by a team of artists from Orissa, Shri. Udayan Indurkar (Scholar and famous Historian, Pune), Sessions on “Flutes From The World” (by Shri Ajit Soman), Late Pt. S.B. Deshpande (Musicologist and Guru, Aurangabad), Pt. Vasant Rao Ghorpadkar (Senior Pakhawaj Guru, Pune) etc were held for the students to assimilate the vast scope of arts and the essence for its manifestation. Along with an idea to inculcate the values and vision of our Indian culture, SADHANA also aims at introducing rare art forms. Sessions on rare art forms are held every year to facilitate the SADHAKAs to a wider perspective of learning. In the past, more than 5 different percussion instruments from different regions of India viz. Edakya from Kerala, Pakhawaj from North India, Mridangam from South India, Mardal from Orissa and Tabla have been demonstrated also introducing Sadhakas to the technique of playing these instruments and the traditional theoretical concepts related to it.

Features of the camp:
The camp primarily aims at creating a full domain of arts around the sadhaka with a holistic approach where the sadhaka can essentially feel the artistic element around and within him. The intensive training camp rejuvenates the participants and takes them back to the ancient times where the shishya was given an integrated education for enhancing his vision and understanding. The whole concept of the camp from Ayurvedic diet to the sessions can enfold the participant to rediscover his creative skills. An important aspect of this camp includes Gurukul Seva where Sadhakas offer their services to the Gurukul voluntarily shedding off their inhibitions and understanding the importance of work as an offering and dignity of labor.

Daily Schedule:
The camp is conducted for 14 hours daily with 5 breaks during the day. The 'Sadhakas' (camp inmates) report at 5.30 am at the dining cottage (parnakuti) where herbal tea is served.
Yoga & meditation - 6 to 7 am; Gurukul Sewa - 7 to 7.30 am; Breakfast - 7.30 am; Dance practice / training - 8 to 9.45 am; break (health drink) - 9.45 am; vocal / sanskrit / mantras / heritage / other lectures - 10 to 12 noon; 12 to 2 pm - lunch & rest 2 to 4 pm - visual arts (painting / sculpture / pottery / textile / calligraphy / puppetry, etc); 4 pm - break (health drink / snack) 4.30 to 6 pm - percussion / instruments / Screenings of Av or documentaries; 6 to 7.30 pm - dance class; 7.30 pm - dinner
Vegetarian food is served to the participants. Health check-up is conducted in beginning of camp to realise the fitness of the Sadhakas. Accomodation is on sharing basis (4-6 persons in one room). Geysers, coolers, filtered water, round-the-clock security is provided. Hospital, banks, medical shops, Telephone booths are within the campus. Participants with any ailment (physiological / psychological) or undergoing any treatment should report about this at the time of registration. Applicants should be prepared for the training schedule and ensure that they have the required stamina and focus in order to benefit from the training camp. Visitors can meet the participants only between 8 pm to 9 pm at the visitors' zone. Mobile phone are strictly prohibited during the camp. Participants can receive calls from their family after dinner at the MAHAGAMI office.

Join the Camp:Any art enthusiast above 10 years of age can join the camp. The last date for the registrations is 15th April 2010. Auditions for SADHANA will be conducted for participants with no prior training in any art form. MAHAGAMI office could be contacted between 9 am – 8 pm for availability of registration forms. Or, the forms could be downloaded from the official website of MAHAGAMI. http://www.mahagami.org/
Tabla Class
Pottery Class
RULES & REGULATION FOR SADHANA CAMP
DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM or Register Online
TOP
GURU POORNIMA
Every year MAHAGAMI organizes a programme to mark GURU POORNIMA in which Shishyas and Gurus give their performances as a tribute to the time honored Guru – shishya parampara.
ODISSI SHISHYAS WITH THE GURU
KATHAK SHISHYAS
TOP
SAMVAD
Workshop series
As the name suggests, ‘samvad’, meaning a dialogue has been designed as a workshop series to establish a dialogue between the students and the invited guru. SAMVAD provides a platform where the art seekers can interact with the artist in addition to attending the concert or demonstration.
Samvad - third session(Pakhawaj workshop by Pt. Ramashish Pathak)
PADARPAN
Introductory Workshop series
Introductory workshops are conducted to give an elementary knowledge about the art form to be learnt. Duration of the workshop is 3- 4 days for each art form. This workshop is open to all art aspirants without any training background.
TOP
SANKRAM
Production Oriented Workshop Series
Sankram is the production-oriented workshop series of MAHAGAMI in which senior Gurus and great masters are invited for a period of 10-15 days. The guru stays with all the students in the gurukul premises and trains them on a production-oriented theme. The highlights of the workshop are the informal discussion sessions with the gurus about their chosen art form and a performance by the maestro and participants. Workshops under the guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj, Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra and Guru Banamali Maharana have been organized under this series.
Sankram - first sessionPt. Birju Maharaj (Kathak)
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (Performance on the final day of Sankram)
Sankram - second sessionGuru Kelucharan Mohapatra (Odissi)
Sankram - third sessionGuru Banamali Maharana (Mardal)
TOP
DRISHTIKON
Lecture Series
Drishtikon is the lecture series conceived with an idea to create an understanding of finer aspects of the performing arts. The series encompasses lecture and discussion on specific topics concerned with a particular art form. The invited expert or scholar expresses his viewpoint on the concerned subject giving a deeper insight on the lesser known aspects of the performing tradition. The lecture series also hopes to take up peripheral topics like stage designing, light designing, sound recording and production, art journalism, linguistics, drama, harmonics, etc.
Drishtikon - first session ('Tyagaraja Kritis' - Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, Hyderabad)
Drishtikon - second session ('Abhinaya in Kathak' - Guru Rohini Bhate, Pune)
AKALAN
The institute has designed an examination system, a blend of the Gurukul system and academically oriented system of assessment that is named as AKALAN.
The examination system is a sincere attempt to assess overall progress of the shishya. Senior disciples present solo performances for rasikas on the concluding day of Akalan.Each disciple prepares a dissertation that is based on the reflection of the individual shishya on any aspect of art.
TOP
ANUBHUTI
Annual Intensive Training Gurukul camp
ANUBHUTI multi media art appreciation programme is a two-hour presentation comprising of a CD-ROM display, audio-visual informative show, photo exhibition, lecture, demonstration, discussion, etc.
Academy arranges lectures, demonstrations and interactive sessions for all kinds of people ranging from the school children to executives and professionals.
ANUBHUTI session on Odissi Dance by Parwati Dutta

Aadya Kaktikar

2009-10-30T21:24:00.000-04:00

Aadya Kaktikar a disciple of Madhumita Raut is emerging as the new face of this ancient dance tradition, is an accomplished Odissi Dancer who has undergone two decades of rigorous training under the able tutelage of Guru Mayadhar Raut and Madhumita Raut at “The Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance” at New Delhi. She has performed extensively as a solo artist since 1992, in a number of festivals and has played a leading role in all of Guruji’s compositions for the last decade. She has played leading roles in productions such as Ritu Basant, Konark), The Geet Govind under the supervision of her Guru – Madhumita Raut. Settled in New Delhi, Aadya is currently engaged in reviving the traditional Odissi dance items and trying to extend the scope of Odissi by experimenting with modern literature. For more about Aadya, please visit her beautiful website.

[Source: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/art/2008070610878.htm ]

November 08: Shreelina Ghosh, Michigan

2009-10-29T21:39:00.003-04:00

November 08: Shreelina Ghosh performs at Human Relations Commission Event, Livonia, Michigan.

The Human Relations Commission presents Lansing-based Odissi performer Shreelina Ghosh to a recital/demonstration of the art. The diversity-focused event has been scheduled for Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Library Auditorium.

Event Link

Srishti Upasana Sahu

2009-09-10T23:02:00.007-04:00

Srishti Upasana Sahu is a classical dance aspirant who has been groomed in Odissi under the tutelage of Late Guru Shri Natabar Maharana. Born and brought up in an artistic, musical, dance family, Srishti has become an upcoming Odissi dancer in Mumbai. She is inspired by her mother Stuti Sahu, Director, Tarijhum, In Search of Excellence in Performing Arts, working for the propagation of Odissi in Mumbai.

She has been learning Odissi since she was 8 years, from Late Guruji and presently from her mother, Stuti Sahu, a senior disciple of Guruji. Further she has been undergoing formal and professional training under Shri Lingaraj Pradhan, Odissi dancer and senior teacher at Rudraksha foundation, Bhubaneswar. In the last 10 years, she has put her sincere efforts in learning various elemental Odissi dances along with a number of intricate Pallavis and Abhinayas. She has passed Sangeet Bhushan in Odissi with a first class and distinction in practical and is currently studying for the Sangeet Visharad under Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh

She has performed solo in various prestigious auditoriums in Mumbai, like Birla Matoshree, Lala Lajpat Rai auditorium, Tejpal hall, S.N.D.T. university auditorium etc. She has also performed at National and international symposiums at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, IIT Bombay and Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.

She has given a number of performances as a child artist in different dance ballets based on Odissi in famous auditoriums of Mumbai like Ravindra Natya Mandir, Birla Krida Kendra, and Vishnudas Bhave Natya Griha. Her performance as the lead role of young Radha in ShreeRadha, a dance ballet staged in Nehru Centre Auditorium by Tarijhum, In Search of Excellence in Performing Arts, was highly appreciated. Her graceful and charming performances have brought her recognition in Mumbai. Imbibing the purity and style of Odissi, she will portray a promising Odissi dancer in the years to come.

Presently she is doing her B.Tech in Biotechnology at Padmashree Dr. D.Y Patil University, Navi Mumbai and wishes to be a researcher in addition to being an eminent Odissi dancer.

Srishti Upasana Sahu can be contacted at tarijhum@gmail.com

Shibani Patnaik

2009-08-31T22:12:00.000-04:00

Shibani Patnaik has been extensively trained in Odissi by Gurus Padmashree Gangadhar Pradhan, Aruna Mohanty, Manoranjan Pradhan, and Yudhistir Nayak from the Orissa Dance Academy.

Shibani was awarded the 2006 Devadasi award in Orissa. Shibani and her sisters were honored with the “Kalashree” Award by the Orissa Society of Americas for their contribution to arts. The California Arts Council has awarded a “Next Generation Artists” grant to Shibani for new choreographies. She has performed in prestigious venues throughout India, including the 2007 Konark Dance Festival and the Ravi Shankar Institute in New Delhi. In 2008, she performed at the International Stirring Odissi Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Shibani and her sisters helped popstars Madonna (1998 MTV Video Music Awards) and Ricky Martin (2007) choreograph in Odissi style, which was broadcasted to millions across the world.

Stanford University presented Shibani with the 2001 Asian-American Performing Arts Award and the Chapell-Lougee Scholarship to conduct research in Orissa. Due to her leadership, the Stanford University Dance department began offering Indian classical dance courses in 2002, where she taught the first course on Odissi.

She has been featured in numerous US and Indian publications, such as Dance Magazine of New York, Yoga Journal, Hinduism Today, India Today, InStyle, and Bazaar. Shibani has enjoyed instructing Odissi to over 25 students at the Center for World Music in San Diego since 2003.

Shibani can be reached at: shibani_patnaik@yahoo.com.

Mitra Purkayastha

2009-08-30T13:20:00.005-04:00

Hailing from a family of musicians and artists, Mitra Purkayastha has had the privilege of training with some of the most famous gurus of Kolkata. From an early age, she started learning classical vocal music under the guidance of her parents. Guru Deborah Biswas and
Smt. Maya Sen further trained her in Rabindra Sangeet.

Mitra’s Odissi training began with Guru Padmasri Murlidhar Majhi. She has trained extensively with him for many years and continues to seek his guidance and blessings in all her endeavors. Besides Odissi, Mitra has learnt Manipuri under Guru Khelendra Mukherjee,
Kathak and Bharatnatyam under Guru Shantinarayan Bose. In India, she has worked with the late Manjusri Chaki Sirkar's dance troupe, Dancers Guild specializing in creative contemporary choreography. She was one of the principal dancers of the troupe. Mitra has many dance degrees under her belt- Sangeet Prabharak, Sangeet Visharad and Sangeet Sudharak.

She holds a Masters degree in Indian History and English from Calcutta University and a Masters and M. Litt in European History from Drew University. Having performed for many years as a soloist, Mitra had the right training to venture into teaching. She conducted classes in Houston and Minnesota before relocating to New Jersey. In 2007, she celebrated 20 years of her dance school, Rhythms of Dance and Music. On this occasion, she collaborated with the renowned Toronto based choreographer, Sukalyan Bhattacharya to put up a very successful show. In April 2009, Mitra and her students won the first prize at the prestigious dance festival, Zalak hosted by Marathi Vishwa in Princeton, NJ.

Mitra has a highly successful career in the world of dance as well as in the publishing industry. She follows the Japanese Suzuki model-early beginning, parental participation and rote learning. Her firm belief that age is no barrier to learning dance has encouraged many mother-daughter duos to learn together. With tireless passion, Mitra has been training many a dancer in the tri-state area. Her varied dance background and amazing enthusiasm has helped shape the life of many young talents.

Classes held at:

Ananda Mandir,
269, Cedar Grove Lane,
Franklin Township
Somerset, NJ

And

5 Parkview Plaza,
Morristown
NJ 07960

Please visit: www.mitraodissinj.com
Email: mitapd@yahoo.com

Sept 24: Odissi Odyssey (Kolkata)

2009-08-30T13:12:00.001-04:00

India International Centre, New Delhi

Presents

'ODISSI ODYSSEY ' - An Evening of Solo Odissi Dance Recital

By Smt Debamitra Sengupta, Odissi Exponent, Kolkata

On Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 6.30 P.M

IIC Auditorium,

India International Centre,

40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi 110 003

Telephone: 24619431; Fax: 2462 7751

Aug 29: Recital by Shreelina Ghosh & Manasi Mishra, Michigan

2009-08-08T17:39:00.002-04:00

Odissi Dance Recital at Lansing
Performers: Shreelina Ghosh and Manasi Mishra

Shreelina Ghosh is collaborating with Michigan-based Odissi performer Manasi Mishra in an attempt to bring the Michigan State University academia and Greater Lansing community together and experience a glimpse of ancient Indian classical aesthetic and spiritual traditions.

The artists will not only demonstrate the performative aspects of this two thousand year old danceform, but also try to project how it evolved from the sculptures of Konark and Khajuraho temples and vegetable-dye "Pata Chitra" artwork.

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Kinawa Middle School Auditorium, 1900 Kinawa Drive, Okemos, Michigan
Event flyer: http://michiganodissi.googlepages.com/flyer.pdf

Shreelina Ghosh

2009-08-06T20:17:00.004-04:00

Shreelina Ghosh is an Odissi exponent from Calcutta who has learned Odissi for the last twenty one years from Smt Aloka Kanungo. Shreelina Ghosh is a doctoral student of MSU and has wide array of interests including cultural and digital rhetoric, cultural identities and resistances, subaltern studies, human computer interaction, information design, accessible website design, usability techniques.

Shreelina was initiated into the ancient classical dance of India, Odissi by Guru Giridhari Nayak, and perfected this ancient dance-form under the strict supervision and loving care of the eminent Odissi exponent, Aloka Kanungo.

She has performed solo and with Mrs Kanungo at Khajuraho Dance Festival, All India Women's Congress, Jayadeva Jayanti Utsav, Puri Beach Festival; Uday Shankar Dance Festival, Calcutta; National Festival Of New Choreographies, New Delhi; Utkal Divas Utsav, Sambhalpur; Shankar Dev Festival, Guwahati; Surya Festival, Kerala; Thalam; Swaralaya Nrityotsav, Kerala; Kolkata Dooradarshan Utsav to name a few and has been featured a number of times on the National Television Channel (Dooradarshan Kendra Calcutta), E-TV Bangla and Tara.

Her solo production Panamami Buddham is a unique attempt in Odissi Dance. Conceived, written and choreographed by Ms. Ghosh, the project was sponsored by the Mahabodhi Society of India. Buddhism is India's gift to the world. In this recital Odissi moves beyond the traditional use of Oriya and Sanskrit and attempts to imbibe in it, the sheer spirit of Buddhist Philosophy through the extensive use of Pali shlokas.
Shreelina received “Star of Tomorrow Award 2002” from West Bengal Dance Group Federation and other recognitions at a competitive level from West Bengal State Music Academy, West Bengal Music Circle among other State-level awards.
Ms. Ghosh has learned the nuances of Odissi Classical Music from the eminent Guru Gopal Chandra Panda and also has a Gradute Diploma in Tagore's music. She assists her Guru in teaching, choreography, direction and project organisation.
From a recent Odissi Discussion Group post,

"It is a pleasure to hear from so many people all around the globe. We will now know where and when Odissi is being performed and appreciated. This is common global platform is something we really needed for the progress of Odissi."

To learn more about Shreelina, please visit her at her informative website

Shreelina can be reached at shreelina_g@indiatimes.com

Nalini Singh Neubert

2009-08-04T15:35:00.000-04:00

Nalini Singh Neubert was initiated into Odissi dance at the age of 9 in Trinidad and Tobago by Mondira Balkaransingh of the Nrityanjali Dance Theatre, a disciple of Guru Mayadhar Raut. She won several dance competitions representing her college and performed at the Trinidad and Tobago Telethon in Trinidad at an early age.

She visited several islands in the Caribbean with her dance troupe and performed on many occasions for diplomats and other government officials in Trinidad and Tobago. Since migrating to the United States in 1994, Nalini became a student of Bani Ray a disciple of Guru Deba Prasad Das’ gharana who lead her to Guru Durga Charan Ranbir with whom she has graciously danced under his tutelage since then. Nalini also continues her training with Bani Ray and recently Jyoti

Shrivastava and is a dancer with the Trinayan Collective, a not-for-profit 501-C (3) company dedicated to creating, exploring and reflecting evocative interpretations of Odissi Dance in New York City.

Her performances include:

Lotus Music and Dance Studios in New York for several dance productions that include New York Ramayana at the Pace University, Baruch College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Odissi Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2004,

Sakshi, New York, April 2006

Yoga Vedanta Weekend, Woodstock, New York, May 2006

GUNA, New York June 2008 and many more performances in the New York/New Jersey area.

International Performances include:

Indian Arrival Day celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago in 2000,

The International Food Festival in Guyana, South America in 2005

Instructor Parwati Dutta

2009-08-03T23:21:00.002-04:00

Odissi classes are conducted by Parwati Dutta at Pune.

Instructors in Pune

2009-08-03T23:20:00.002-04:00

Parwati Dutta

Aug 20: Recital by Leesa Mohanty, Mumbai

2009-08-03T23:10:00.003-04:00

RASA TARANGINI

AN EVENING OF ODISSI DANCE RECITAL
BY
LEESA MOHANTY

Venue: Little Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
Date: 20th August, 2009
Time: 6.30 PM

Leesa presents Rasa Tarangini.

She begins her performance with Managalacharan.

Mangalacharan is an invocatory item paying salutations to a specific deity and finally concludes with three salutations to the Mother Earth, to the Guru and to the august audience. Todays Managalacharan is called the Krishna Tandava and is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

The second item is Asta Naayikaa; depicting the eight emotions of a heroine. Abhisarika, Vasakasajjika, Vipralabdha, Virahotkantitha, Proshitabhartika, Khandita, Kalahantarita, Swadheenapatika.

Abhisarika - One who boldly goes out to meet her lover

Vasakasajjika - One who is preparing for the arrival of her beloved, by decorating herself and her surroundings, to provide a pleasant welcome for her lover.

Vipralabdha - One who is disappointed that her lover has not turned up at the tryst as he promised.

Virahotkanthita - One who is separate from her lover and is yearning for reunion.

Prositabhartika - One who is suffering in the absence of her lover, who is away on a long journey

Khandita - One who is angry with her lover for causing disappointment.

Kalahantarita - One who is repenting her hastiness in quarrelling with her lover, which has resulted in their separation.

Swadheenapatika - One who is proud of her husbandâ€™s love and loyalty.

Pallavi - Pallavi is a pure dance item, which begins slowly and gradually gains momentum, blooming into complex patterns highlighting rhythmic variations. This pallavi is based on Raag-Kalyan.

Nabarasa - Nabarasa depicts the nine sentiments, namely, Sringara (Erotic), Veera (Heroic), Karuna (sorrow), Adbhuta (Marvellous), Hasya (comic), Bhayanaka (terrible), Bibhatsa (odious), Roudra (furious) and Shanta (peaceful).

Moksha - The final dance of Joy and Release dedicated to Shakti

About Leesa

Leesa, a senior disciple of Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, brings to art lovers the inimitable Odissi style of the late Guru Deba Prasad Das. She will be presenting the original works of the great master, whos artistic influence has spread across Europe, Asia and the USA through tireless effort of Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, his torch bearing disciple.

Leesa has performed widely in India and is regarded as a dancer with imaginative prowess. Her forte is abhinaya or expressive dance, and has created, choreographed and directed many dance productions. She directed a film on dance, Milan Madhuri; a documentary on the Late Guru Deba Prasad Das in 2001 as well as conceptualized and anchored a documentary entitled Idioms of Oriya Cultureâ€ in 2006.

Leesa has to her credit Best Child Artiste Award (1984) from Government of Orissa, Rajdhani Ratna Award (2001, New Delhi), Film Media Award (2001) BY UP Photo Film Association, Title of Rasaamruta Sambardhini (2007) by the Temple of Fine Arts, Kualalumpur. She is a recipient of the senior merit scholarship from the HRD Ministry, Government of India and also a senior auditioned artiste at the Doordarshan Kendra.

She is the Executive Director of Bansi Bilas. Bansi Bilas is a non-profit cultural organization which was established in 1983 with the mandate to preserve and propagate Odissi, the indigenous dance form of Orissa. The foundation organizes mega festivals, bringing together dancers and art lovers from across the globe, produces full length feature films/ documentaries and runs dance academies, all to promote Odissi among the general population.

Sandhyadipa Kar

2009-07-30T20:47:00.002-04:00

Sandhyadipa is an eminent Odissi Dancer. Trained under the tutelage of Padmavibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, she has peformed all over the world with revered exponents of Odissi like, her Guru and Padmashree (Late) Sanjukta Panigrahi. She was awarded the title of ‘Sringar Mani’ by Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbar for excellence in Odissi Dance.

Sandhyadipa has been teaching Odissi dance for the last 15 years. While in India, she was a part of Padmavibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s dance academy. She has also been involved in a number if Odissi workshops with her Guru.

Sandhyadipa is currently settled in Cleveland and is actively involved in performing, promoting and teaching Odissi Dance.

Sandhyadipa can be reached at sandhyadipa@yahoo.com

August 27-29: Nayika - A Woman in Love

2009-07-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

[Click to enlarge]

She prepares for his arrival, selecting each flower, each piece of jewelry, and carefully placing it in preparation. Her friends are nearby and giggle in their excitement for the night she has before her. She settles at the edge of her bed and waits, and waits, and waits.....

Scheherazaad Cooper depicts the classical Indian story of the Nayika, a young heroine, through one sleepless night. Eight delineated emotional states of a woman in love are highlighted through postures of Odissi dance and theatrical story-telling.

Featuring Riaz Rhemtulla, an accomplished Kathak dancer from the UK.

August 27-29th 8pm

@

The Firehall Arts Centre
280 Cordova St East
Vancouver, BC
V1A 2B3

www.firehallartscentre.bc.ca

Tickets & Info:
(604) 689-0926
$15 Adults $12 Students/Seniors

www.scheherazaad.com

[Click to enlarge]

July 31 - Aug 5: Konark Dance & Music Festival, Orissa

2009-07-29T21:34:00.000-04:00

Dear Art lover,

KONARK NATYA MANDAP Celebrating Jhulana Utsav 2009,

From 31st July to 5th August 2009 at Konark Natya Mandap Indoor Hall, Konark.

Konark Dance & Music Festival

Celebrating the Silver jubilee in 2010

MEGA EVENT of the Millennium from 19th to 23rd feb

Visit Us: www.konarkdanceandmusicfestival.com

KONARK NATYA MANDAP

Arka Vihar, Konark - 752111,

Puri, Orissa, India
Mobile : +91 9437308022, 9937008022

Web: http://www.konarknatyamandap.org

Pandit Panna Lal Upadhyay

2009-07-29T16:29:00.000-04:00

Aug 14: Dance Drama Raas Lila, Kolkata

2009-07-28T20:36:00.002-04:00

Friday, August 14, 2009, 6:00 PM

On the auspicious day of 'Nandotsav', 14th August, 2009 EZCC presents :

Odissi Dance Drama : Raas Lila
(Based on Padabali Kirtan)

By : Odissi Exponent Smt Debamitra Sengupta & Her team of Mayur Lalit

At 'Purbashree' Auditorium,
EZCC, Bharatiyam Cultural Multiplex,
IB 201, Saltlake
Kolkata

Aug 16: Shradhanjali Festival, Kolkata

2009-07-27T19:04:00.005-04:00

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009, news article in the Hindu:
Odissi dancers plan festival on August 16 , by Shyamhari Chakra

Instructors in Ahmedabad, India

2009-07-27T18:52:00.007-04:00

Suprava Ravinarayan Mishra

Odissi Instructors in Ohio

2009-07-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Sandyadipa Kar

New York Odissi Instructors

2009-07-25T20:02:00.001-04:00

Mala's School of Odissi Dance
31 Hicks Lane
Great Neck, NY 11024
Phone/Fax: 516-773-2894
E-Mail: MalaOdissi@gmail.com

July 25: Lecture/Demo by Rahul Acharya, California

2009-07-23T23:31:00.002-04:00

Odissi Lecture/Demonstration by Rahul Acharya

Saturday, July 25 3:00p to 6:00p

at Church of the Epiphany, San Carlos, CA

Kalashri Sangha rejuvenated to present a unique lecture/demonstration on Spirituality in Odissi Dance and Late Guru Debaprasad Das' style by Rahul Acharya.
Recently awarded the Bismillah Khan Award from Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sri Rahul Acharya is extremely knowledgable about the development of Odissi dance and the religious history of Orissa and especially about Lord Jagannath having recently published a book over 500 pages about Orissa's main deity.

Price: $30

Age Suitability: None Specified

Tags: There are no tags.

Event Website

Categories: Dance, Classical

Creator: gurushradha

October 14: 4th Devdasi National Dance Festival

2009-07-15T18:59:00.000-04:00

The 4th Devdasi National Dance Festival featuring all Indian classical dance styles will be underway in Bhubaneswar from October 14 to 16.

The hosts are looking for an Odissi dancer from abroad.

If interested, please write to:

devdasi.dance@gmail.com

SHYAMHARI CHAKRA

CORRESPONDENT

THE HINDU

(www.thehindu.com)

1095, SATABDI NAGAR

BHUBANESWAR-751003

India

Cell. 91-94371-08815

Parwati Dutta

2009-07-15T13:55:00.000-04:00

Guru and researcher Parwati Dutta started her dance journey at the age of three in Bhopal. She specialised in Kathaks under Pandi Birju Maharaj and trained in Odissi under Madhavi Mudgal. She is currently the Director of Mahatma Gandhi Mission Sangeet Academy, Aurangabad which is devoted to the dissemination, training and promotion of the ancient classical performing arts base on Guru Shishya tradition.

The institute has blended the traditional gurukul pattern with modern electronic media and presents 'anubhuti' art appreciation series in educational institutes free of charge. This session comprises of lec-dem with a CD-ROM di play giving information about the art form and its various aspects.

In August 2007 Parwatic Dutta led an initiative, Vrinda-Gaan, which involved more than 4000 staff and students of the Mahatman Gandhi Mission, and is currently working on a publication of the devnagari transliteration of the Champus with meanings and music notation
For more information about Parwati Dutta, please visit her website
or contact her at mahagami@sify.com

Calling artists for Nruthya Bhushana-2009

2009-07-15T00:14:00.002-04:00

NRUTHYA BHUSHANA
Classical theme based National Dance Festival at MYSORE
28th, 29th & 30th of November
Jagan Mohan Palace, Mysore

Mysore, patronized by the erstwhile Maharajas, is always known for its rich art and culture. Many dance festivals are conducted in this cultural capital of Karnataka throughout the year. But the need for an intellectual, classic and cut above the rest performers, (who were good, be it upcoming, amateur or professional dancers) Meet is very much needed which has been taking shape in the form of this beautiful and enchanting annual dance festival Nruthya BHUSHANA hosted by the city very well known dance centre Bhushans Academy. BHUSHANS ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS AND VISUAL PRESENTATION, an academy par excellence in the field of Bharatanatyam and Contemporary dances, headed by Guru Sri Badari Divya Bhushan and Guru Smt Anjana Bhushan, popularly known as HUSHANS has come up with this dream project once again after the successful.

Abhinaya Bhushan for professional dancers,

Purusha Bhushana for male and couple dancers,
Udbhava Bhushana for child prodigies,
Nruthya Bhushana for upcoming Dancers,
Vrunda Bhushana for group presentations,
"Visistha Bhushana" for contemporary Presenatations,
"Poshaka Bhushana'' for dancers abroad since 2005

Artists from across India will be chosen meticulously to be a part of this festival. Performances will be in the form of solo, duet, couple and group presentations which will be a visual treat for the art lovers of Mysore . Different classical forms like, Bhratanatyam, Kathak, odissi, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri and Kuchipudi with specially worked themes are being presented at the festival.

The objective of this venture is to encourage and promote upcoming talent not only by providing them a national level platform but also to inculcate and provoke the intellectual and creative instincts in the dancers for the betterment of the art form. The entire festival is packed with symposiums, lecture demonstrations, competitions (for young budding talent) and performances (for upcoming and accomplished artistes) wherein each artiste will be given thought provoking and unique themes to portray their talent and versatility. Artists in the age group of 14 to 35 can send in their applications, brochure, snaps and a performance Cd before September25th.

For further details please contact:

BHUSHANS ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS AND VISUAL PRESENTATION
#894, 4th Main, Saraswathipuram, Mysore-23
email: bhushansacademy@yahoo.com
Website:www.bhushansacademy.com
Ph;0821-2544082 09342178049 , 09342116365 , 9844857948

Aditi Bandyopadhyay

2009-07-14T23:21:00.002-04:00

www.aditibandyopadhyay.net

Aditi Bandyopadhyay is a dancer, performer, choreographer and teacher of odissi dance. She trained under the tutelage of late Padmabibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, Guru Giridhari Nayak, Smt Amala Shankar, and more presently under Guru Smt Sutapa Talukdar. Her parents Indrani and Asok Bandyopadhyay who were great conoisseurs of art had always been her sole inspiration.

Aditi is a physician who has a graduate degree in medicine and surgery (MBBS) from Calcutta National Medical College, Calcutta University.

Aditi has presented 176 solo dance recitals in India and in different parts of the world, and has choreographed several dance productions of her own. Her own productions, Teen Katha and Sri Krishna Prem Gatha, have received immense appreciation at prestigious music conferences. She is the creative director of Nrityaneer, a dance institution she founded, and has presented a number of dance recitals in India with her dance troupe. She has also worked with mentally challenged children through the medium of dance and music.

In 1998, Aditi was invited to Sweden and Denmark, where she presented several solo dance recitals and conducted two dance workshops. She was felicitated by the Indian ambassador in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aditi's solo performance and dance choreographies with her students have featured on Indian television (Doordarshan), and her dance has been appreciated by press critics in different leading newspapers and magazines.

She is the recipient of the M. P. Birla special talent award (1996), Jadubhatta Purashkar (1998) and was honoured by Indian Museum in 1997.

Currently, Aditi is settled in Columbia, Missouri, USA, with her husband Dr Subharup Guha and her eleven months old son, Ishan. She is continuing her solo performances and choreographic presentations in mid Missouri. She is the dance director of MUDRA an organisation for Indian classical dance at the University of Missouri Columbia.

A dance choreographed by her based on Kalidasa's Meghdoot was staged at Jesse Auditorium, University of Missouri-Columbia on October 27, 2007. Her choreography opened India's presentation at Columbia's International Fashion Festival in March 2008. Recently, Aditi's students in Columbia performed a dance item on Goddess Durga at an Indian classical music program.

Aditi's most recent solo dance presentations were at St. Louis Indian Dance Festival 2008 organized by Soorya Dance Company, Durga Puja Festival at Gandhi Center, St Louis organized by 'Punascha', Durga Puja Festival at Hindu Temple, Omaha organized by Bengali Association of Nebraska, and at the Celebrations of Culture at the University of Missouri-Columbia organized by the Multicultural Society.

www.aditibandyopadhyay.net

Aug 1: Shatarupa, Kolkata

2009-07-14T07:24:00.001-04:00

Srishti Dances of India

invites you to

S H A T A R U P A

An evening of innovative Odissi choreography

Sreyashi Dey, Manoranjan Pradhan and the

Srishti Dances of India ensemble (USA)

Highlighting the lyrical grace and sculptural motifs of Odissi,

Shatarupa is a unique performance of striking beauty, showcasing

exciting new pieces in the Odissi style, featuring the acclaimed Srishti

ensemble

accompanied by distinguished musicians from Orissa

Introductory remarks by noted playwright-director Bibhash Chakravorty

Saturday, August 1, 2009

6:30pm

Gyan Manch

11 Pretoria Street

Middleton Row

Kolkata 700071

Free admittance

2461-8787

www.srishtidances. org

Anita Babu

2009-07-13T22:29:00.004-04:00

For Anita Babu, “Life is Work & Work is Life”. This is so true for many people who have decided to dedicate their life to their profession. And Anita is one of them. But at the same time Anita also believes in not running away from other worldy duties. She is a teacher, dancer, housewife, mother, sister, daughter and a daughter-in-law, all rolled into one. And still she manages to do justice to all these roles with aplomb.

Coming from a simple Oriya middle-class family, she started learning Odissi at the age of 7 in her school before she became a disciple of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan and has remained ever since. In a society where girls learning dance after a certain age was looked down upon, she got the unstinted support of her family to continue with her dance but without ignoring normal education. Inspite of a lot of time being dedicated to Odissi, she still completed her Master in Arts degree in Anthropology from Utkal University.

Anita has been learning this dance form at the Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar, an institution set-up by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan. Senior dancers of ODA like Nandita Pattnaik, Aruna Mohanty and Bichitrananda Swain have also played an important role in laying the foundations of Anita early in her life. She has been refining her dancing skills under the constant guidance and encouragement of her Guru as well as of the other senior students of the academy like Bichitrananda Swain and Aruna Mohanty.

Over the years, Anita has given numerous performances not only through the length and breadth of India but also overseas in countries like Nepal and United States. She has participated and performed at various festivals, namely the Konark Dance Festival, Puri Beach Festival, Pallavostava, etc. She is also a regular performer on Doordarshan, the national TV network and is also an empanelled artiste in ICCR in the Reference Panel of Artistes.

Her dedication to Odissi and pursuit of excellence finally paid result when she was selected by ICCR from among a galaxy of artistes to go on a long tour of the US of A from September to mid-November 2003 in which she gave more than 17 performances and 5 lec-dems.

With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, her Guru, well wishers, patrons and sponsors Anita is determined to scale greater heights as a dancer and also make Odissi Natya Sala a premier institute for learning Odissi dance in India.

For more about Anita Babu, please visit her website

July 18: The Man Divine, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards Festival

2009-07-12T18:52:00.000-04:00

Indian Revival Group presents

The Man Divine

Manâs Journey from despair to hope.

A Dance â Theatre based on Tagore Poem Shishu Tirthaâ

On Saturday, 18^th July

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards Festival

Meghdoot Theatre, 7.30 pm

Duration 40 minutes

On the occasion of

Yog Sunder Desai,

founder of Indian Revival Group

being awarded Govt. of Indias Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

by the President of India

Entry Free. All are invited.

July 15-19: 23rd World Congress on Dance Research, Spain

2009-07-12T15:03:00.004-04:00

23rd World Congress on Dance Research

and 18th General Assembly of the CID

Malaga, Spain, 15-19 July 2009

You are cordially invited to attend the largest gathering of dance specialists world-wide, the best opportunity to showcase one's work to a wide audience of practitioners, dance teachers, choreographers, researchers, journalists, organizers and suppliers.

Over 500 conferees from 5 countries of the 5 continents are attended this year.

The 9-hours-a-day program in parallel rooms includes:

- Research reports (papers) are presented and discussed among peers

- Lectures on original subjects resulting from long experience

- Classes, where teachers give a short demonstration of their method

- Performances by dance companies, duos or solos

- Video projections presenting choreographies or full performances

- Exhibitions and sale of books, records, pictures, costumes, accessories etc.

- Evenings where members can discuss in a relaxed setting or dance to local music.

- Visits to places of special interest, such as dance schools, museums, sites etc.

All forms of dance are represented. Strictly non-profit.

Not to be confused with festivals, workshops, competitions, forums or open conferences.

The congress is organized by the Delegation of Spain and the Malaga Section of CID, in collaboration with the International Dance Council CID. Venue is the Gran Teatro Cervantes in the city center.

Intended primarily for professionals, it is a trade fair and a participatory event, facilitating contacts with colleagues and informal discussions.

Submitting a presentation (research report, lecture-demonstration, class, performance, exhibition, projection) is optional. For each presentation a text must be sent before 30 May 2009.

Absentee presenters can register also; their presentations will be included in the program and in the proceedings. The proceedings DVD circulates worldwide in many thousands of copies; it is sent free of charge upon registration, together with other gifts.

To apply for a visa to consulates and/or financial assistance, registered participants receive an official certificate. Please make arrangements as early as possible.

Congress website:

www.orchesis-portal.org/cdr

***********************************************************************

The International Dance Council CID is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world.
CID is recognized by UNESCO, national and local governments, international organizations and institutions.
Its members are the most prominent federations, associations, schools, companies and individuals in more than 150 countries.
CID was founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Permanent Headquarters:
International Dance Council CID
UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, FR-75732
Paris 15, France
www.unesco.org/ngo/cid

The CID current President’s office:
Dora Stratou Dance Theater,
Scholiou 8, Plaka, GR-10558
Athens, Greece
Tel. (30)210 324 4395 & 210 324 6188;
fax (30)210 324 6921
www.cid-unesco.org

president@cid-unesco.org

August: Black Bakhkhai Collective Festival, Gurgaon

2009-07-12T14:40:00.002-04:00

[Click to enlarge]

Feb 19-23: Konark Dance & Music Festival

2009-07-12T14:33:00.000-04:00

Konark Dance & Music Festival

Celebrating the Silver jubilee in 2010

MEGA EVENT of the year from 19th to 23rd feb

Visit Us: www.konarkfestival.com

Sibashis Pradhan

Co ordinator

KONARK NATYA MANDAP

Arka Vihar, Konark - 752111,

Puri, Orissa, India
Mobile : +91 9437308022, 9937008022

Web: http://www.konarknatyamandap.org

July 16: Sumina Das, New Delhi

2009-07-12T14:25:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends

India International Centre

Presents

Nrityanjali

An Odissi dance recital

Sumina Das

Senior disciple of Guru Mayadhar Raut and Madhumita Raut

To honour the invaluable contribution of her Guru to Odissi dance

On 16^th July 2009, 6:30 PM

at India International Centre,

40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi

You all are cordially invited

As a staunch believer in Guru Shishya Parampara, Sumina Das continues to train under guruji and aspires to propagate his teachings worldwide.

Sumina's forte lies in her strong rhythmic footwork, effortless, sculpturesque postures and soulful Abhinaya (the expression form of dance), all of which are characteristics o f Mayadhar Raut school of odissi dance.

July 21: Shradhanjali, Bhubaneshwar

2009-07-12T13:50:00.002-04:00

Yuval Cohen

2009-07-10T23:03:00.000-04:00

Yuval Cohen is the only Odissi dancer in Israel.. He recently returned to Israel after training in Odissi for seven years in India

He recieved a scholarship from the Indian government (ICCR) and in the year 2007 completed a BA degree in Odissi dance in the Indian University of Classical Arts (GHANDHARVA MAHAVIDYALAYA). The dances he studied are a essential part of the classical tradition of Orissa.
Yuval has been dancing since 1985 and choreographing since 1997. Was a member in the "Batsheva" dance company (Israel) and in ensemble "Dance Berlin" (Germany, Artistic director - Yossi Tamim), and performed his pieces; "Metzashortakavana" and "The Peacock Dance of the Gods" worldwide.

During his studies Yuval created solo pieces that are based on the influence of the Vedas (the Indian ancient scriptures) and his personal connection to the divine aspect. when initiated, Yuval received the name "Sri Nataraj Das" which in Sanskrit means: "the Servant of the Lord of Dance". In the Vedic tradition Krishna is the supreme personality of godhead and his most beloved pastime is dancing.

Being that Yuval is the only Odissi dancer in Israel, he is particularly happy to connect with other Odissi dancers around the world through the Odissi Discussion Group.

Yuval-Nataraja Das can be reached at yuvaldance@yahoo.com

Ray Hesselink

2009-07-07T22:05:00.008-04:00

[Bichitrananda Swand and Ray Hesselink]

Ray Hesselink is a Director/Choreographer living and working in New York City. Ray has presented choreography at various festivals and venues around NYC, most recently at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Ray specializes in creating character driven choreography and excels at comedic storytelling through dance. Ray loves to make people laugh! As a dance instructor, Ray has had the privilege to help train the children currently performing in Broadway's Billy Elliot: The Musical. Ray is on staff at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC. He also coaches actors privately. Ray holds a B.A. from the School of Theater at UCLA.

Ray has studied Odissi for many years and is now under the guidance of Guru Bichitrananda Swain.

Feel free to email Ray at ray@rayhesselink.com and visit his website www.rayhesselink.com.

July 11: Mayadhar Raut Gharana Performance, New Delhi

2009-07-05T10:40:00.001-04:00

Dear All,

'Guruve Numaha'

As a mark of respect to Guruji's (Guru Mayadhar Raut) on his 79th birthday....

Senior dancers of Mayadhar Raut Gharana presents unique solo choreographies,
landmarks in his lifetime of service to Odissi.

You are cordially invited

India International Center
40, Maxmullar Marg. Lodhi Estate, New Delhi
11th July 2009 at 7:00 pm

Artist:
Anubhuti
Addya
Sumedha
Sumina
&
Madhumita Raut

Guest artist: Rajani Ghirwa (Holland)

Payal Mistry

2009-06-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

Payal Mistry is a passionate artist who started learning dance at the age of 10. She has been trained in the classical Indian styles of Bharatnatyam and Odissi by accomplished gurus in Boston, Dallas and Mumbai. She started Odissi training with Neena Gulati and continued on to advance her training under the guidance of Meenakshi Seshadri in the year 2002 and subsequently performed her Manch Pravesh in 2006

Her zest took her to Mumbai where she trained under Rabindra Attibuddhi and Jhelum Paranjape. She was awarded “Sringar Mani” by Sur Sringar Samsad in year 2008 and also won second place in the Kanaka Sabha Annual Dance competition the same year. Payal also has to her credit several premier cultural events as a performer and choreographer.
Payal holds MS Human Factors in Information Design degree from Bentley University. She is currently working as a User Experience Analyst in Boston, MA.

Payal can be reached at: pmistry@gmail.com

Tatiana Ruzova

2009-06-21T15:27:00.008-04:00

Tatiana Ruzova (Satyabhama Devi Dasi) is a Russian Odissi dancer as well as a teacher. She is a representative in Russia of the Institute of Indian Dance and Music Sri Venunad Kala Kendra (Vrindavan, Mathura, U.P., India). Tatiana graduated from the Far-Eastern State Humanitarian University in Khabarovks, Russia as a philologist and a specialist of world culture and world heritage.

Tatiana, along with her husband Oleg (a psychologist, astrologer, lecturer, writer, and a musician) got initiated in the Gaudia Vaishnava tradition and got a devotional name Satyabhama Devi Dasi (meaning “servant of Satyabhama, wife of Krishna”). Tatiana and Oleg dedicated their lives to spreading the spiritual way of life and love for God (Bhakti) all over the world.
Because of her deep, devotional love of God and traditions of celebrating this love, in 2002 Tatiana started to learn the Odissi dance in the Sri Venunad Kala Kendra institute in holy town of Vrindavan from Guru Pratap Narayan Behera, the nephew of the great Guru Hare Krishna Behera.

After years of studying in the Sri Venunad Kala Kendra institute, Tatiana expanded her knowledge by studying in the Guru Debaprasad Gharana from her Guruma, Smt. Kunjalata. Being blessed by all of her Gurus, Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna, Tatiana decided to change the hearts of people by giving them pure love of God through the Odissi dance.

Tatiana started to teach Indian Dance including Odissi Dance and has also done lots of performances, workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. She traveled widely with husband spreading Bhakti and performed regularly in more than 30 cities in Russia and in more than in 20 cities in the countries of Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, India, and U.S.A.

Having accumulated her own experience in the teaching of Indian Classical dance, Tatiana wrote a book titled Ocean of Bliss in Russia in 2008. The book covers the history and techniques of classical Indian dance and Odissi dance. Ocean of Bliss has received great appreciation from professional dancers and general public.

Since 2006 Tatiana has been living in Moscow. In 2007 she founded an Odissi dance group of students called “Lilamrita”. In 2008 she arranged the workshop and the performance of her Gurus from Venunad Kala Kendra (Vrindavan) in Moscow.

Also in Moscow she visited workshops of Smt. Rajashree Behera, who guided her in Debasir Gharana and supported in the development of Abhinaya. Currently, Tatiana continues to travel, perform, teach, and prepare the second part of her second book about the Odissi dance.

odissi.satya@gmail.com www.ruzov.ru/natya.html

June 27: Mudra Workshop, University of Missouri Columbia

2009-06-21T14:55:00.005-04:00

Aditi Bandyopadhyay

Nilanjana Banerjee

2009-06-20T22:02:00.001-04:00

Nilanjana Banerjee was initiated into dance at an early age by the renowned Odissi revivalist Guru Mayadhar Raut of Delhi. She holds a Diploma in performing arts. Her solo debut was at an Indian community event at Hartford, Connecticut. In India, she performed at various youth cultural festivals. For a few years, she learnt Bharatnatyam from Guru Smt. Vasanti Subramanium at the Bhatkhande Hindustani Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. Nilanjana took a brief hiatus from dance but her passion and quest for learning Odissi continued. She further trained with Guru Smt. Mitra Purkayastha, artistic director of Rhythms of dance and music, New Jersey. Smt. Mitra being an accomplished dancer-choreographer herself was able to enhance Nilanjana's dance skills. Her guidance and encouragement proved a major turning point in Nilanjana's life. She seeks her Guru's blessings in all her endevours. Nilanjana strictly adheres to Guru Padmashree Murlidhar Maji's gharana.

To get a complete vision of Indian dance styles, Nilanjana is also training with the noted choreographer Sukalyan Bhattacharya of Toronto. Since relocating to the U.S., Nilanjana has performed extensively in the New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York area. Some of the organizations for whom she has been regularly performing include Festival of India by CIO, Pragati (Philadelphia), Kallol, ICC, NJPA, NABC 2005 Madison Square Garden, (Bengali Associations), BridgewaterTemple, Marathi Vishwa, Oriya society, Wayne, IFMP(Princeton).

In 2007, she performed at the Ekal Vidhyalaya fundraiser attended by the chairman of Zee TV network. She was a member of Guru Smt. Mitra's first prize winning team at the prestigious Zalak , 2009 Indian dance festival, Princeton. In 2009, she performs for the Banga Mela in Atlanta. Her love and devotion to dance has culminated in her performing and teaching Odissi. She conducts classes at the Hindu Samaj temple, Mahwah, New Jersey. For Nilanjana, Odissi is undoubtedly an enchanting spiritual journey for both the dancer and the audience.

For more information on shows and classes:
Please visit www.odissinilanjana.com
Email: nila@odissinilanjana.com

June 27 - 28: Sangeet Dash Workshop, Singapore

2009-06-19T14:17:00.000-04:00

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

ODISSI WORKSHOP IN SINGAPORE

BY SANGEETA DASH FROM INDIA

HOSTED BY ODISSI DANCER JYOTI UNNI

ON BEHALF OF GLOBAL INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE

on June 27 & 28

June 20: Andrea Albergaria, Brazil

2009-06-14T23:09:00.005-04:00

Dear Friends,

Andrea Albergaria & Group will present Indian dance and music in Brazil, with poems in honour of Lord Krshna.

June 20th, 8PM
Teatro Municipal Vera Cruz
Uberaba, MG, Brazil

Andrea Albergaria
Dança Clássica Indiana

Shrooti Singh

2009-06-14T22:48:00.005-04:00

Shrooti Singh has dedicated herself to Odissi for the past 22 years. Her journey in Odissi dance began at the age of 5 as a disciple of Smt. Sudha Grover at the Sudhamini Dance Academy in New Jersey. At 17, she was the first student of the Academy to perform a Manchpravesh and continues to perform with SDA when possible. With Sudha Grover as her Guru and Mentor, she realized her passion for Odissi and the necessity to have it as a constant in her life. She is particularly fond of performing Pallavis, her favorites being Shankara and Hansadhwani. Her love for abhinaya grew with age and experience and her favorite Ashtapadi is Dheere Sameere, which she learned from both Guru Sudha Grover and Guru Shri Hare Krishna Behera. After moving away to college, she continued to train and perform.

At Bryn Mawr College, Shrooti had the opportunity to study dance and dance literature under Dr. Pallabi Chakravorty, and Dr. Yutian Wong. She first choreographed her own Odissi piece under the guidance of Dr. Yutian Wong and continues to be inspired by her.

Shrooti has been a part of numerous dance dramas choreographed by Sudha Grover - her favorite being the Dashavatar. She has given several solo performances at various venues throughout NJ, NY, and PA including:

-Zimmerli Art Museum (NJ, performance and lecture) The Asian Arts Initiative (Philadelphia, PA) The Governor’s Mansion (NJ)
-Ananda Ashram (NY) -South Asian Women’s Creative Collective (NYC, performance and discussion)
-Youth Solidarity Summer Benefit (NYC)
-Amnesty International (NYC)
-Grand Reception for former Indian Ambassador to US, Lalit ManSingh (NJ)
-Bucknell University (PA) Haverford College (PA)
-Bryn Mawr College (PA)
-American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (NJ and CA)
-Dussehra Festival (NY)

Abroad, she has performed in Lausanne, Switzerland, Agra, and New Delhi.

As a teenager, Shrooti was named an All State Dancer after competing for the title at the Teen Arts Festival in NJ. It was then that she realized her passion for spreading awareness about Odissi dance and from thereon actively sought performance opportunities while also trying to balance a demanding study schedule.

In 2000, she was selected to the Artists in Communities Training Program by the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia, PA. The program culminated in a workshop she conducted about Odissi for high school students in Philadelphia – most of whom had never heard of Odissi before. In 2003, Shrooti gave another dance workshop at South Asian Youth Action in Queens, NY, where she demonstrated the ability to use dance and art to communicate a social message – particularly about Domestic Violence.

After being awarded the Summer Arts Grant in 2002 from Bryn Mawr College, she had the honor of training under Guru Shri Hare Krishna Behera at Odissi Kendra in New Delhi. She continued her training with him thereafter whenever visiting New Delhi and focused on her abhinaya and technique.

In NYC, Shrooti auditioned for the Nayikas Dance Theater Company run by Myna Mukherjee and was chosen to perform in the title experimental piece of the show along with three other dances. With the Nayikas Dance Theater Company, she has performed at the Lincoln Center, the Rubin Museum of Art, Lighthouse International, Bleeker Street Theater, and the Queens Museum of Art. She greatly enjoyed dancing with dancers from various dance backgrounds who shared her love for Odissi. While with Nayikas, she further improved her Chok stance and Bhramari spins.

Shrooti has attended Odissi dance workshops in NYC given by Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and, most recently, with Sujata Mohapatra. During a lecture demonstration by Dr. Sunil Kothari in NYC, she was asked to briefly demonstrate part of an Odissi Pallavi to an audience of dance scholars.

Apart from Odissi, Shrooti has had some Kathak training from Pandit Satya Narayana Charkha in NYC. She has also participated in numerous folk dances and folk dance competitions with the Sudhamini Dance Academy. She has trained in Tap dancing for two years in NJ.

Shrooti holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mathematics from Bryn Mawr College. She looks forward to connecting with other dancers and can be reached at

shrootisingh@gmail.com.

Vitalina Lobach

2009-06-14T22:25:00.003-04:00

Vitalina Lobach is a dancer and a teacher of Odissi. In 1988 she graduated from the Moscow University where she studied Philosophy. During her university years Vitalina also learned Bharatanatyam and in 1988-89 she learned Odissi with Swarnalata Parida.
In 1990 Vitalina received an invitation and a grant from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Institute in Dehli (from the prominent dancer Madhavi Mudgal), where she studied from 1990 to 1995.

In 1995 Vitalina founded "Odissi Jiwan Nrittya" dance group in Moscow.

Vitalina Lobach teaches Odissi at the Jawaharlal Neru Cultural Center of the Embassy of India in Moscow and performs all around Russia and abroad.

The official site of "Odissi Jiwan Nrittya" is http://www.odissi.su/

Vitalina Lobach, her students and Sujata Mohapatra

June 27: Aditi Bandyopadhyay Workshop, Missouri

2009-06-06T20:46:00.000-04:00

On June 27th Aditi Bandyopadhyay will be conducting a workshop at the Columbia, Missouri, USA

Kaustavi Sarkar

2009-06-03T22:55:00.000-04:00

Kaustavi Sarkar stepped into the world of dance at Uday Shankar India Culture Center under the careful supervision of Smt Amala Shankar. She started Odissi under Guru Pausali Mukherjee, student of Guru Padmavibhushan Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra. She is currently trained by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, son of the legend Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and is determined to take forward Guruji’s legacy.

Kaustavi Sarkar is a PhD student in Texas A&M University, U.S.A. along with being a professional dancer from India. Currently she is actively involved in performing and also conducts odissi lessons in College Station. She has been invited more than once to offer lectures on Odissi dance at her university. On November 19, 2008 the university newspaper Battalion covered her story and published. Kindly click on this link.

http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2008/11/19/News/Student.From.India.Continues.Traditional.Dance-3551545.shtml

After coming to the US in July 2007 she has performed in Houston, Austin, Dallas, SanAntonio in Texas, NewJersey, San Fransisco in California and SaltLake City in Utah. Recently she was invited to do the guest performance at the International Week, TAMU. On February 7, 2009, she performed at a Yuvabharati event in Palo Alto, California. In India she participated in a number of major festivals and even represented India at the Commonwealth Day Celebrations in Colombo, SriLanka (2007).

In India she won the National Scholarship in Odissi when she was only eighteen years old. She has been invited to perform by Sangeet Natak Academy, ICCR, EZCC and the government of India. She has been a part of a number of acclaimed festivals. To name a few, we have Uday Shankar Nrityotsav, Samsmaranam, International Odissi Conference, Vaisakhi Utsav, Barsha Utsav, Deesha, Konark, Shruti Mandal, Young Dancers’ Festival of India, Indian Classical Music Young Talent’s Conference, Stars of Tomorrow in the Classical Dance Arena, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Ceremony and many more.

In 2008 June she along with her Gurubehen Aparupa Chatterjee invited Guru Ratikant Mohapatra to conduct a workshop in College Station. Recently Smt. Sujata Mohapatra was hosted by her at her residence for conducting a workshop and program in March, 2009. Kaustavi was also honored to be in the repertory of Srjan under the able tutelage of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.

She is dedicated to the cause of Odissi and wants to take it to greater heights through her devotion and diligence.

Past News

2009-06-01T21:44:00.000-04:00

Dr. Biswajit Dash

2009-05-01T22:01:00.004-04:00

Dr. Biswajit Dash is an accomplished youth Odissi Dancer and disciple of the distinguished maestro Padmavibhushan Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and he has received intense training and guidance under other noted gurus like Guru Ratikant and Smt Sujata Mohapatra. He has been devoting significant time to learning and inculcating the intricacies of this rich art form. He has dedicated himself to carry forth the traditions with perseverance and commitment.

Biswajit’s early training in Odissi under Guru Prahallad Biswal at Tribeni Kala Parishad has enriched his repertoire and instilled in him a desire to explore the multiple layers of Classical Indian Dance further with a deeper understanding of aesthetics and form.

An exponent, teacher and choreographer, Biswajit has regaled audiences in Orissa and India with performances, workshops and lecture-demonstrations for past one decade. Having performed at various prestigious festivals, he has been honoured and felicitated with ‘Nrityashri Samman’ and ‘Utkal Santan Samman’, Orissa.

He was adjudged as the best youth dancer of the Orissa state for the year 2007, by the Govt. of Orissa and also he was selected as the best Classical dancer by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore for the year 2008. Aspiring to create awareness and propagate Odissi dance and music along with other traditional art forms, he has choreographed and presented several compositions on diverse themes. He is also a Dance Therapist and a ‘B’ Grade artist in Doordarshan - Bhubaneswar.

Biswajit’s institution, 'Dr. Biswajit Dash Centre for Odissi Dance and Culture' continues to embellish the scenario of Odissi art and Culture with talented youngsters. At present, Biswajit is persuing his Master’s degree in Ayurveda Medicine in Panchakarma subject under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka and rendering healthcare services to the ailing aged persons.

Some of his important performances include:
Gopastami Mela (Rourkela) – 1994
Odissi Sangeet Sandhya (Rourkela) - 1997
Shrikshetra Utsav (Puri) – 2005
Cholayil’s Congress (New Delhi) - 2005
Pratibha Puja Diwas (Bhubaneswar) - 2006
Rashtriya Yuva Utsav (Chennai) - 2008
Gokulotsav (Mumbai) – 2008
Karnataka Rajyotsav (Gadag) - 2008
Swaroopa (Moodbidri) – 2008
Guru Kelucharan Purush Dance Festival (Bhubaneswar) - 2009
Youth Festival (Amritsar) – 2009
Lakkundi Utsav (Lakkundi) – 2009

2009-04-13T21:11:00.014-04:00

Rajika Puri and Dancers
present
TAPASYA: Ascetic Power and Tales of the Ganges

Tapasya: Ascetic Power and Tales of the Ganges is an evening of dan ces - and danced stories – on ascetics in mythology and in contemporary India, which unfolds in three acts:

The Cosmic Lord -
SHIVA

The Celestial River-
GANGA

The Great Immersion -
MAHA-KUMBHA

Seven new interlinked works explore the power generated by
asceticism as a physically manifest force –often called a
‘dance’ – described in ancient legends and embodied by
modern day sadhus. They say this power created the universe;
it caused the river Ganges to flow. Words spoken in ascetic
‘heat’ have irrevocable consequences.

Included in the program is a ground-breaking form of danced story-telling developed by Rajika, in which dances that retell stories from India’s rich legacy of legends and myth are performed to a blend of traditional song, chants, and spoken rhythmic syllables, as well as a text in English.

TAPASYA was inspired by Wandering with Sadhus: Ascetics in the Hindu Himalayas by Dr Sondra L. Hausner

WHEN:	Thursday, May 7th thru Sunday, May 10th Thursday thru Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 3pm.

LOCATION: TICKETS:	Joyce SoHo 155 Mercer Street (bet. Houston and Prince) N/R/W to Prince, B/D/F/V to Broadway/Lafayette, 6 to Bleecker $25; $20 seniors/students For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.joyce.org

DANCE:
Rajika Puri
Aditi Dhruv
Taiis Pascal
Shobana Ram
Nirali Shastri

MUSIC:
Shobana Raghavan: vocal
John Hadfield: percussion
Anil Srinivasan: music director

DIRECTED by Greg Emetaz

Photos by Thomas Kelly Sadhus: The Great Renouncers

May 7-10 TAPASYA, New York

2009-04-12T13:09:00.012-04:00

Rajika Puri and Dancers
in an evening of dances and danced storytelling

present

TAPASYA:
Ascetic Power and Tales of the Ganges


Design: Greg Emetaz	Photo by: Jane Kung

An evening of dances - and danced stories incorporating English texts - on ascetics in mythology and in contemporary India.

DANCE:
Rajika Puri
Aditi Dhruv
Taiis Pascal
Shobana Ram
Nirali Shastri

MUSIC:
Shobana Raghavan: vocal
John Hadfield: percussion
Anil Srinivasan: music director

DIRECTED by Greg Emetaz

Thu-Sat May 7-9 at 8pm;
Sun May 10 at 3pm

Joyce SoHo
155 Mercer Street
(between Prince & Houston)

Ticket Price

$25; $20 seniors/ students
For tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit www.joyce.org

Program Details
Post-performance discussion: May 8
(Moderated by Prachi Dalal, Director IAAC Dance Festival)

May 8-9: "Ratna Roy's Dance of the Spirit" Washington State

2009-04-12T09:57:00.000-04:00

ORISSI
DANCE OF THE SPIRIT
The Evergreen Orissi Dance Ensemble will be joined by the ground-breaking Urvasi Dance Company and faculty member, Ratna Roy, for an evening of Orissi Dance with 19 dancers at The Evergreen State College on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at 8:00 pm. in the college’s Experimental Theater. General admission tickets are $15 and $5 for Seniors and Students on sale at Rainy Day Records, The Evergreen Bookstore, online at BuyOlympia.com, the Communications Building box office, from 12 to 3 pm daily, or by placing a phone order at (360) 867-6833. There will be a limited number of $50 front row seats for the patrons of Evergreen’s Orissi Dance program. For these seats, please contact John Robbins at (360) 867-6651.
The theme this year is “Orissi: Dance of the Spirit.” Born in the coastal districts of the state of Orissa, India, Orissi has been described variously as “movement meditation,” “music in motion.” The waters of the ocean at the Bay of Bengal are reflected in the gentle lyrical swaying of the torso, the breeze through the leaves of the palm trees in the circular movement of the wrist, and the heartbeat of Mother Earth in the pulsating rhythms and footslaps.

The evening’s performance will open with a spiritual dance by The Evergreen Orissi Dance Ensemble. Two pallavis or dances of flowering, connecting the dancers with the cosmos, will be presented by faculty member, Jamie Lynn Colley, alumni, senior students, and Urvasi. This year we are fortunate to have with us faculty emeritus, Meg Hunt, who will be dancing a Krishna dance through the lens of a gopi. 11-year old Sarvani Eloheimo, twice recipient of Washington State Arts Commission’s Folk Arts Apprentice Award, daughter of faculty members, Marja Eloheimo and Eddy Brown, will present Krishna as a child. Both of these dances come from the Bhakti tradition of Eastern India. The quintessential “Dasavatara,” depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu, will be presented by the Urvasi dancers. The last dance for the evening will be Ratna Roy’s choreography and debut of “Nava Rasa” as seen through the Feminine eye: Love, Heroism, Sorrow, Wonder, Laughter, Terror, Disgust, Anger, and Peace.

Dr. Roy was trained in India in classical Orissi dance, initially in both the women’s (mahari) and the men’s (gotipua) traditions by Guru Govinda Chandra Pal and subsequently in the classical tradition that evolved from the unique "mahari" tradition, by Padmashri Guru Pankaj Charan Das, the guru of all gurus. She is one of the few remaining dancers who practice the women’s dances in classical Orissi style. It has now become her mission to teach and spread this lyrical yet powerful dance style and tradition of her guru. Ratna Roy has received two Fulbrights, an American Institute of Indian Studies Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Award, the Arts International Award, Fund for Folk Culture Fellowship, and Washington State Arts Commission’s (WSAC) Folk Arts Program Master Artist award for two years. In 2008 Ratna received Ethnic Heritage Council’s Gordon Ekvall Tracie Memorial Award and The Folk Arts Fellowship from WSAC (a Lifetime Achievement Award) for her work with Orissi dance. She has performed and conducted workshops internationally.

EVENT: Orissi: Dance of the Spirit
DATE: Friday, May 8 & Sat., May 9 at 8:00 pm
PLACE: The Evergreen State College Experimental Theater
ADMISSION: Gen. Adm. $15; Seniors/Students $5
TICKETS: Rainy Day Records, Evergreen Bookstore, BuyOlympia.com, Communications Building Box Office daily from 12-3 pm or call 867-6833 to place phone orders
CAMPUS PARKING: $2.00
INFORMATION: Evergreen Expressions (360) 867-6651. For directions or more details go to https://gate1.evergreen.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.evergreen.edu/expressions

April 17-19: "Anjali, Homage to Guru Sri Deba Prasad Das", Malaysia

2009-04-11T13:58:00.001-04:00

Stage Performance -
Anjali ~ Homage to Guru Sri Deba Prasad Das (Indian Classical Dance)
Date: 17 - 19 Apr 09

Moving steadily towards developing artistic and cultural awareness in the community, Kalpana Dance Theatre presents a rare and exciting gathering of Odissi dancers to make a special dedication, Anjali, to the late Guru Sri Deba Prasad Das.

The production will showcase a new opening number, the Surya Mangalacharan and the rarely performed Vajrakanthi Pallavi. Two abhinaya pieces and four other pieces before ending with the Mokshya, the traditional finale in which all the dancers will perform.

Venue – Auditorium Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Centre, K. Lumpur.

Time: 08.00 PM

Admission / Ticket: Free

Contact Dance Theatre:
017-672 5672 / 016-608 7310 / 012-291 8308;

April 11-12: "A Festival of Dance Theatre", New Delhi

2009-04-11T13:51:00.002-04:00

Celebrating 60 Years of Indian Revival Group
A Festival of Dance Theatre
On
April 11 & 12, 2009
At
Shriram Centre, Safdar Hashmi Marg, New Delhi
6.30 pm

Saturday, April 11
Ram Katha
Exploring episodes from the Ramayana
Through varied forms of Folk Dance Theatre & Story Telling techniques

Sunday, April 12
The Rising
The saga of Indiaâ€™s struggle for freedom
(premiered at Sangeet Natak Akademiâ€™s Choreography Festival in Mumbai, 2009)

Direction & Choreography
Yog Sunder & Papiha Desai

April 17: The Nritya Parampara Series, New Delhi

2009-04-11T13:41:00.003-04:00

Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, New Delhi

Presents

THE NRITYA PARAMPARA SERIES

The Nritya Parampara Series is series of ongoing dialogues,
between various classical dance forms. Conceived by noted
Odissi danseuse Madhumita Raut, this series is an attempt
at presenting and promoting the true soul of the Indian
Classical Dance Traditions. Under this series, dancers of
different genres, whorepresent specific gharanas, present
the true essence of their individual styles.

Noted dancers like Shri Shashdhar Acharya (Chau)
and Shri Shantanu Chakraborty (Bharatnatyam) have
danced in this series earlier. This evening we present
Odissi by Aadya Kaktikar (Disciple of Madhumita Raut),
Bharatnatyam by Rajlakshmi (Kalakshetra) and Kathak
by Swati Sinha (Disciple of Rajendra Gangani).

17th April, 6.30 p.m.
Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi

All are cordially invited

April 21-22: Odissi Festival Abhinaya Sudha, Bhubaneswar

2009-04-11T13:23:00.004-04:00

ABHINAYA SUDHA - 2009

A festival highlighting the expressional aspect of Indian dance traditions is jointly organised by PARAMPARA Dance and Music Forum , Hyderabad & Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar on 21st & 22nd April' 09, 7.00p.m. at Jayadev Bhavan.

You are cordially invited to attend this unique event.

Madhusmita Mohanty

naivedya_12@yahoo.co.in

April 14: Film Showing - The Making of a Tradition, Bhubaneswar

2009-04-11T13:18:00.001-04:00

There will be a video presentation The Making of a Tradition – perspectives on the creation of odissi and its roots as a spiritual discipline. It's on 14^th April at the Red Cross Hall, Bhubaneswar at 7pm

and is being shown as part of INTACH’s World Heritage Day commemoration.

April 27: Chhau Performance, Pune

2009-04-11T13:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Art Seekers / Artists
You are cordially invited to an evening of Chhau performance
(Mayurabhanj & Seraikella) on 26 April 2009, 8 pm at ISHANYA
amphi-theatre, Yerwada Road, Pune. The program is organised by Sangeet
Natak Akademi, Delhi in association with MAHAGAMI-SPANDAN (Pune
Activity center of MAHAGAMI GURUKUL, Aurangabad). The program is
organised to mark WORLD DANCE DAY celebrations and with an aim to
introduce the lesser known dance forms to the Puneites. Kindly
circulate this information amongst other art-lovers too. For details,
view the attached e-poster.

There are no tickets for the program. Seating first come first served basis.

An interaction with the Chhau artists is arranged on 27 April, 10 am
at Sudarshan Rangmanch, Shaniwar Peth, Pune for the dance-enthusiasts
and dancers. All are welcome.

LET US CREATE A CULTURALLY AWARE SOCIETY !
MAHAGAMI Team

--
'MAHAGAMI' ..... a sojourner of supreme journey .... co-sojourner of
great pilgrims

"MAHAGAMI" GURUKUL
Mahatma Gandhi Mission Sangeet Academy, N-6, CIDCO, Aurangabad - 431003. INDIA
tel: +91- 240-6421054 (ext. 33)
www.mahagami.org

--
Parwati Dutta
MAHAGAMI
Mahatma Gandhi Mission Sangeet Academy
N-6, CIDCO, Aurangabad (MS) - 431003
Tel: 91-240-6421054 (ext 33)
www.mahagami.org
mahagami.info@gmail.com

Madhumita Misra

2009-04-02T20:52:00.002-04:00

When Madhumita Misra enters the temple premises, she feel as if the beautiful sculptures are dancing with beating their ghungroos accompanied by Veena, Benu, Mardala and Manjira. This feeling attracts her to learn Odissi, which gives her self-satisfaction. While performing Odissi Madhumita feels the presence of god everywhere.

She has received training under Guru Sri Durga Charan Ranbir of Deba Prasad Das Gharana. She has completed Nrutya Shastri from Sangeet Natak Academy, Orissa and Nrutya Bhaskar from Pracheen Kala Kendra & now pursuing Nrutya Chudamani (Ph.D) under Guru Sri Durga Charan Ranbir from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. She is a Science Graduate and Computer Professional also.
Performed at Mahabalipuram Dance Festival'08 organised by Tamilnadu Tourism.
Performed at Yashbantrao Auditorium, Pune on the occasion of Pune Ganesh Festival by MTDC & India Tourism
Performed at Kal-Ke-Kalakar Sangeet Sammelan, by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai
Performed at Shibali Cultural Society of India, Mumbai
Performed at ISKCON Auditorium, Juhu, Mumbai.
Performed at Pallabotsavam, Mysore
Performed in Dwaraka on the occasion of Janmastami'07 organized by Dwarakadhish Temple
Performed at Pallobatsavam, Mysore
Performed at Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh
Appointed as an Examiner from Pracheen Kala Kentra, Chandigarh and Sangeet Natak Academy, Orissa
She is a reputed artist of Culture Dept of Orissa Govt
Conducted group programmes of her own School "Nrutyasudha" at various places in India
Performed at Mahari Award Festival by Guru Pankaj Foundation, BBSR
Felicited by Jayadev Foundation
A member of The World Community of Indian Culture
Conducted Seminar ‘Influence of Temple Culture on Odissi Dance' at Kedarnath Gabesana Parisad, Bhubaneswar
Performed many Dance-Dramas at Door-Darsan Kendra, Bhubaneswar
Given many articles about Dance in different news papers and magazines
She has learned Mardala from Guru Sri Dhaneswar Swain and Hindustani Vocal from Guru Sri Gopal Ch. Panda

[Source: http://www.artists-india.com/resume/madhumita_misra.php]

Andrea Albergaria

2009-03-26T23:13:00.003-04:00

Andrea Albergaria is a Brazilian Odissi dancer and teacher, started her studies in Odissi Dance during Performing Arts Graduation Course (1994) and had developed it on workshops with names like Madhavi Mudgal, Parvatti Dutta, Sandyadipa Kar,etc. In 1997 had met Guruji Kelucharan Mohapatra in Srjan, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

With her brazilian students, Andrea Albergaria founded Mahari Odissi Dance Company that had performed in many different places. Andrea Albergaria had been in Angola, África, to perform Odissi in Ásia Festival (2003). In 2007 had been with her Dance Company to perform at Purva International Festival, Baroda, Gujarat, organized by Guru Sharad Pandya.
She is working to publish a book in portuguese language about Orissa and Mahari Dance Tradition.

You can contact Andrea Albergaria and Mahari Odissi Dance Company on

andreaodissi@hotmail.com
http://ciamahari.tripod.com
http://www.artindia.net/odissi1html

Jagabandhu Jena

2009-03-24T23:09:00.002-04:00

Jagabandhu Jena is a freelance journalist and odissi dance promoter. Jagabandhu started the Bhubaneswar "Devdasi National Dance Festival" in 2006. This festival is for young dancers from all eight Indian classical dance styles, besides the temple ritual dance of Puri Jagannath Temple, the "Mahari Dance" and the "Vilashini Natyam" ( the Andhra Temple dance). Jagabandhu also organizes the "Naveen Kalakar". Since 2006, the "Naveen Kalakar" has been helping to discover the hidden talents in Odissi Dance. From the year 2009 talents from odissi voal, hindustani vocal, flute, violin, sitar, tabla, odissi, pakhawaj have been included.

Jagabandhu Jena can be reached at (Jagabandhu_devdasi@yahoo.co.in)

Sumina Das

2009-03-13T18:07:00.004-04:00

Sumina Das is a senior disciple of Guru Mayadhar Raut (the doyen of Odissi Dance) and has been under his tutelage for the past 20 years.

Sumina’s inclination towards dance began at a very young age. She joined the Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi (recognized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development), as a disciple under eminent Guru Shri Mayadhar Raut and obtained her diploma in the Odissi form of dance in the year 1994.

Thereafter, she went on to join the Jayantika School of Odissi Dance to specialize in the finer nuances of this dance form, under the tutelage of her Guru Shri Mayadhar Raut, (founder of the said School) and Madhumita Raut who apart from being Guruji’s daughter, is an accomplished dancer and a renowned Odissi dance guru in her own right.

As a senior disciple, sumina has given numerous solo performances for past 10 years and also has been a part of Guruji’s dance entourage at various festivals for many years.

The latest events, where she has performed, are at the…Guru Shishya Parampara festival, the Shruti Mandal Dance festival at Jaipur, the Anjuman Sair- E- Gul Faroshan (Phool Waalon Ki Sair) at mehrauli, Delhi and at the Epicentre, Gurgaon.

She has also assisted her Guru Sushri Madhumita Raut, in conducting a 15 days dance workshop for Mayo Girls School, Ajmer and at the Spic Macay lecture demonstration at Govt. boys & girls school, Tilak Marg, Delhi.

Sumina specializes in the Mayadhar Raut Gharana, which is known for its Lasya, Lyricism and intense Abhinaya.

Having done her M.B.A from the Symbiosis Institute of Management , Sumina is currently working as a recruitment manager at a leading HR consulting firm in Delhi.

As a staunch believer of the Guru- Shishya Parampara, she continues to train under her Guru and aspires to propagate his teachings worldwide. Sumina is also a member of the Karmic Mantra Foundation (a voluntary organization) and is associated in their endeavour to explore, enrich and broaden the horizons of the various classical dance forms of India and creating awareness about the use of dance in education and as therapy.

Jiva Raj

2009-03-11T20:58:00.000-04:00

MS JIVA RAJ ALSO KNOWN AS REENA RAJ IS A DEDIACTED BARATANATYAM AND ODISSI EXPONENT WITH OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD AND THE OPENMINDNESS OF CREATING AND WORKING WITH NEW AND UNIQUE NOT LIMITING TO INDIAN ART BUT EVERYTHING DEFINED AS PERFORMING ART. SHE HAD HER INITIAL TRAINING UNDER THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS JOHOR BAHRU IN BARATNATYAM AND WAS LATER GROOMED BY GURU SRI AJIT BASKARAN DASS IN BOTH BARATNATYAM AND ODISSI. SHE HAD HER INTENSIVE TRAINING IN ODISSI IN BUBANESHWAR, ORISSA UNDER SRUJAN FOR THE KELUCHARAN STYLE AND UNDER GURU SRI DURGA CHARAN RANBIR FOR THE DEBA PRASAD STYLE.

SHE FOUNDED HER OWN INSTUITION IN THE YEAR OF 1999, THE NRITYA VATIKA DANCE ACADEMY AND IS NOW ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN TRAINING ASPIRING STUDENTS IN BARATNATYAM, ODISSI, INDIAN FOLK DANCE, MALAY CONTEMPORARY DANCE AND YOGA. HER TECHNIQUE AND DISCIPLINE IN BARATNATYAM AND ODISSI KEEPS HER CHOREOGRAPHY AND STUDENTS WITH AN UNIQUE AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ANYWHERE. SHE DISPLAYS METICULOUS ATTENTION TO ENSURE AUTHENCITY YET BREATHES A REFRESHING NEW LIFE TO AGE OLD CLASSICAL THEMES INCLUDING BREATHTAKING SETS , COSTUMES AND THEATRICAL EFFECTS TO HER PRODUCTIONS.

HER CHARISMA AND PATIENCE MAKES HER TACKLE THE MOST DIFFICULT CHILD WHO COMES TO HER ACADEMY ALLOWING THEM TO BLOOM IN HER GARDEN OF DANCE. NRITYA VATIKA HAS STAGED MANY IMPRESSIVE REPERTOIRE AND SUCCESSFUL STAGE PRODUCTIONS IN JOHOR BAHRU, KUALA LUMPUR AND SINGAPORE.SHE HAS PERFORMED WIDELY AROUND MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE ,INDIA AND EUROPE.

APART FROM THESE SHE HAS ALSO JUDGED MANY PRESTIGEOUS DANCE COMPETITIONS IN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE AND JUDGED THE INTER SCHOOL STATE LEVEL DRAMA COMPETITION IN JOHOR BAHRU. SHE IS ALSO PURSUING HER ANTROPOLOGY IN DANCE AND PSYCOLOGY IN THEATRE AND DRAMA .

2009-02-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit: by Chirag Wakaskar

Mala Desai

2009-02-15T22:32:00.002-05:00

Performer, Choreographer & Teaching Artist

Mala Desai was initiated into classical Indian dance education at the age of four, Mala continues to perfect the art of Odissi and earned her Diploma in Odissi from The Guru Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance. Mala has performed professionally for over 25 years, and strictly adheres to the tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara committed to carrying forward the Mayadhar Raut style of Odissi.

Please see her site at www.myspace.com/malaodissi for more information.

Adrien Meszaros

2009-01-26T17:11:00.000-05:00

.

Adrien Meszaros lives in Hungary, EU. She started her dance studies when she was 13 years old. She spent 10 years with contemporary (creative) dance and physical theatre (mime) and made certificate as a modern dance teacher. (classical ballet, art-jazz, dance history, Graham-techinque, Limon-techinque)

She tried several dance styles such as flamenco, afro-dance, irish tap dance, hip-hop dance, art-jazz, and martial arts like capoeira and iaido. Her academic qualification is visual arts teacher and computer graphic designer.

Since her first scholarship to India in 2005, she dedicated herself to Odissi dance.

She started to promote indian classical dances in Hungary in several ways:

Giving demonstrations, teaching, organising workshops for her Guru, and editing a link collection about indian dances. She created a hungarian online indian dance club, updating with the local dance news.

She’s representing the Kelucharan Gharana in Hungary. Both her guru’s trained in Bhubaneswar. Sandhyadipa Kar is a disciple of Kelucharan Mohapatra, daughter of renowned musician Sri Prafulla Kar. Currently lives in US, but visiting Europe every year. Sashikanta Nayak was the dancer of Srjan, his Guru is Kumkum Mohanty. Currenty settled down in Delhi.

Adrien named her school Sundari Odissi. Her aim is to be professional and establish an Odissi dance troupe in Hungary with the help of Jagannath.

Her website: www.indiaitanc.hu

e-mail: adrien@indiaitanc.hu

Korea

2009-01-19T18:41:00.001-05:00

Jyoti Shrivastava

Jyoti Shrivastava

2009-01-19T17:20:00.002-05:00

JYOTI SHRIVASTAVA

Odissi dance exponent

Jyoti has cultivated a life long devotion to Classical Indian Dance since her first performance at the very early age of four. She has studied under some of the most revered Gurus : Valmiki Banerjee, Durga Charan Ranbir and Srinath Raut. She also studied Mohiniattam, Manipuri and various folk dance forms. She earned an M. Phil in classical music which gave her a more indepth understanding of dance. She is also an avid Yoga practitioner. However, of all these pursuits, her heart is captivated by the Odissi dance form. Jyoti has received various Scholarship fellowships titles and awards for her expertise in this field. "SRINAGAR MANI" was conferred on her by Sur Singar Samsad of Bombay. She has worked for two years with Guru Ramli Ibrahim in Malaysia. During this period, she assisted in the productions of his Sutra Dance Theatre. She has also done indepth research and training on the style and compositions of Guru Deb Prasad Das in her capacity as the Director of the Nehru Institute of Odissi Research and Training in Delhi. She has organized international seminars, symposia and training programmes for aspiring young dancers.

PERFORMANCES

Jyoti has given performances extensively throughout India and abroad, including in Festivals. The talented artiste's performances include :-

YOUVA MOHATSAV in DELHI – 1986
DEB PRASAD DAS FESTIVAL in Bhubaneshwar – 1987
HARI DAS SAMMELAN in Bombay – 1990
KLALKA KALKAR in Bombay – 1989
" ADORATION " in Malaysia – 1992
ODISSI ALIVE in Malaysia – 1993
Guru Pranam Utsav in Delhi – 1994
Kartik Fine Arts Festival in Madras – 1995
Krishnna Gana Saba in Madras – 1996
KIN KINI festival in Bangalore – 1997
ICCR's Horizon Series in Delhi & Lucknow – 1998
Sangeet Natak Akademi's Odissi festival in Bhubaneshwar- 1998
She has also performed in Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Muradabad in India and abroad in Sri Lanka (recently sponsored by the ICCR), Mauritius, U.S.A. & Canada.

ASPIRATIONS

Jyoti has dedicated her dance skills to the cause of young dancers whom she trains to keep alive the testimony of dance over the years. She strongly feels that this art has to be passed on to aspiring youngsters, so that it is enriched with experience and lives eternally. This can be in a dance school where students take up dance as a full time vocation and reside there while they train and perform. She herself would love to continue performing irrespective of time and age because she believes that she can "dance to the grave".

Reviews

Jyoti’s dance is evocative of the vibrant energy which characterised Deba Prasad’s vision of this style : Leela Venkataraman, The Hindu

Jyoti Shrivastava impressed with her fine inconographic postures : N.K. Mudgal, Evening News

All the items she undertook had a clarity of lines and an array of emotive range. Her Ashtanayika was clearly etched and well enunciated : Ashish Khokar, The Times of India

Jyoti’s control over rhythm is unfaltering and her sense of movement uncluttered : Shanta Serbjeet Singh, Hindustan Times

Outstanding Odissi performance by Jyoti. She captivated one with her graceful sweeps, fluidity in movements and hastas : N. Hariharan, Times of India, Bombay

Jyoti Shrivastava in Odissi shows remarkable maturity : Ashish Khokar, First City Magazine

Watching her one is inadvertently transported to the realm of her world where Krishna, Radha and the Gopis truly live : Ramli Ibrahim, Hallowed Diversions

The most hardened critical arteries would have thawed with the charmingly persuasive abhinaya of Jyoti’s Ashtanayika : Leela Venkataraman, The Hindu

CONTACT ADDRESS IN REPUBLIC OF KOREA:
C/o Mr. RAHUL PRASAD
KOJE CITY, KUNGNAM,
Republic of Korea – 656131
Telephonic contact: (82)(558) 6871481 (Res)/ 6804858(Off) / 6802167 (Fax: for :Rahul Prasad)

PERMANENT ADDRESS IN INDIA
SECTOR-XI, NOIDA – 201 301
Tel & Fax : (91)(11)91-539015

e-mail : rahulP64@hotmail.com

[Source: http://education.vsnl.com/iccr/JyotiShrivastava.htm ]

Jan 14: Recital by Sharmila Mukerjee

2009-01-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

As part of the

25th KINKINI RAJATHA NRITYOTSAVA

You are cordially invited to an Odissi recital

SHARMILA MUKERJEE

Disciple of the late Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra

Accompanied on

Vocal -- Ganesh Desai

Pakhawaj -- Ekalavya Muduli

Violin -- Ramesh Das

Wednesday 14^thJanuary 2009 at 6:15pm

HN Kalakshetra,

Jayanagar National College

36th Cross, 1st Main, 7th Block, Bangalore 560 082

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Jan 16: Sharmila Mukerjee performance

2009-01-13T20:29:00.000-05:00

SMRITI NANDAN CULTURAL CENTRE

Presents

AN ODISSI DANCE PERFORMANCE

a talk on the salient features of Odissi technique with

Postures, stances and feet movements

SHARMILA MUKERJEE

Disciple of the late Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra

Accompanied on

Vocal -- Ganesh Desai

Pakhawaj -- Ekalavya Muduli

Violin -- Ramesh Das

Friday 16^thJanuary 2009 at 6:30pm

Smriti Nandan Cultural Centre,

Nanda-deep, No. 15/3, Palace Road, Bangalore - 560 052

Friends of Smriti Nandan - Free

Token Donation Rs. 99/-

(for Music & Dance programmes)

Bali, Indonesia

2009-01-12T21:44:00.004-05:00

Wisdom Center, Barbara Mintz

Sabita Mishra

2009-01-12T21:07:00.003-05:00

Sabita Mishra of St. Louis, Missouri, USA first began learning Odissi Dance at the tender age of 7. Under the guidance of her Guru she has performed at several stage shows all over the India; Konark Festival, Puri Beach Festival, Khajuraho Festival, Chidambaram Festival, Madurai Festival, Khandagiri Festival and Naampalli Nrtya Mahotsav, to name a few. She has also performed several times as solo and in group dances at Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

Sabita's most recent performance was at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Hindu Temple Premises, St.Louis along with the Rudrakshya Goup from Bhubaneswar, India organized by the Oriya Community of St.Louis.

As a soloist Ms. Mishtra prefers performing abhinaya but she has also learned six different kinds of Pallavia; Pallavi, Basant Pallavi, Kalyan Pallavi, Kalavati Pallavi and Kafi Pallavi. She performs abhinayas from the Geeta Govindam or from poems by poets Banamali Dash and Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja etc. In Mangalacharan Sabita has learned Kalika and Ganesh Tandava. Apart from two kinds of Batu Nritya she has also learned two varieties of Mokshya Nata. She laso performed items based on God or Goddess like Surya Ashtakam based on Sun God and Durga Stutee based on Goddess Durga.

Sabita looks forward to carry on performing one of the oldest surviving traditional style of dance which originated in the temples of the state of Orissa in Eastern India, to the best of her ability and enhance her skills learned from such renowned and inimitable Guru.

Guru’s Name Sri Bharat Charan Giri

School of Dance Bharati Nritya Mandir

Style of Dance Guru Deba Prasad Das School of Dance

Qualification in Dance Madhyama Purna with distinction from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pracheen Kala Parishad, Pune. Nritya Visharad with distinction from Chandigarh University, Chandigarh.

Achievements

Received the best dancer award for six consecutive years from Regional Instititute of Education, Orissa, India. First prize for three years from RAWA Acadmey of Music & Dance, Orissa, India. Accredited for acting in children’s programme by S.I.E.T, Bhubaneswar Received State level Scholarship from Government of Orissa. Performed in songs from Bhanja Sahitya on occasion of Bhanja Jayanti, organized by Mrs. Pratibha Sahoo, a noted dancer and actress in Oriya Movies.Received National Scholarship from Cultural Department,Govt. of India.

Felicitated by Indian Oil Corp. in their celebration of fifty years of independence day of India.Most accredited as Krishna doing all shorts of mischief and rasa leela with Radha (Dr.Deepti Mishra, Ex. Director, Doordarshan Kendra)

Performed several times in oriya weekly programme, Kalyani in Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar.

Educational Qualification : MBA.

Reviews : “We can now rely upon these budding dancers who have God’s grace and such unmatchable Guru to carry on our culture to the next generation.” --“Sambhabanara Sabita” , review by Chittaranjan Mohapatra in Oriya daily Sambada.

France

2009-01-08T23:43:00.002-05:00

Barbara Curda

Japan

2009-01-08T23:34:00.000-05:00

Sachiko Muakami

Mumbai, India

2009-01-08T23:13:00.002-05:00

Kashiki

Kaishiki

2009-01-08T23:09:00.004-05:00

Inspired by the term mentioned in the Natyashastra describing one of the four Vrittis or styles, Daksha Mashruwala named her institution Kaishiki. It is the soft and graceful style which is the hallmark of the Odissi dance style. Through Kaishiki, Daksha aims to continue the tradition of passing the art form in as pure a form as imparted to her by her Guru.

A complete dancer is one who is a keen and grasping student, versatile performer and a good teacher. Through Kaishiki, Daksha’s aim is not only in herself becoming a complete dancer
but also to inspire and train young dancers to become independent solo performers
The aim is not only to give a platform to budding students but also to give a firm grounding and direction to those who are about to embark on a lifelong love affair with the dance form. Daksha's experience and knowledge has enabled her to enrich the learning experience.

Enterprising in teaching methods, the institution is open to different ways of learning and even learning beyond the framework of the Odissi style of dance. It encompasses Tala, theory lessons, lecture-demonstrationsin other classical styles, and also traditional folk dances etc. Some of the students of Kaishiki are solo dancers in their own right who continue to get advanced training. Among these are Smt. Bharati Amonkar and Dr. Prachi Mehta.

[Source: http://www.daksham.in/kaishiki.html]

Daksha Mashruwala,
A-1, Beach House,
Gandhigram Road,
Juhu, Mumbai. 400 049,
India.
Phone: +91 22 2620 3755

myself@daksham.in

dakshacheerful@yahoo.com

Colleena Shakti

2009-01-08T23:02:00.001-05:00

Colleena Shakti
183 Donner Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
USA

For inquiries please email colleenashakti@yahoo.com.

Olympia, Washington, USA

2009-01-08T00:29:00.003-05:00

Dr. Ratna Roy

Chitra Shankar

2009-01-08T00:13:00.004-05:00

Chitra Shankar is currently based in Singapore and continues her journey through the world of dance and music with intensive training and rewarding teaching experience.

Chitra's students in Singapore and Japan represent the true universal appeal of Dance. A quick study of her students reveals the universal nature of dance and its appeal across barriers of race, profession and background. Students include those of Chinese, Malay, Sri Lankan, Indian or Thai origin from different strata of economic well-being lawyers, software professionals, students and social workers.

Chitra Shankar

7, Newton Road,

#05-01, Elmira Heights

Singapore 307945

Tel : (65) - 6744 1478

murali_chitra@hotmail.com

Odissi Dance Company

2009-01-07T23:25:00.004-05:00

Nirmal Jena & Chitrita Mukerjee
Odissi Dance Company
23 Burke Street
Chifley, New South Whales, Australia 2036
Email: odcsydney@yahoo.com.au

The Odissi Dance Company was founded in Sydney in 1992 by Nirmal Jena and Chitrita Mukerjee, recognized experts in the ancient Odissi dance form.

Australia

2009-01-07T23:17:00.002-05:00

Odissi Dance Company

Brazil

2009-01-07T23:16:00.002-05:00

Bia Ocougne

California, USA

2009-01-07T23:09:00.005-05:00

Barbara Mintz

2009-01-07T22:47:00.003-05:00

Barbara Mintz is available to teach in schools, educational settings, growth centers, privately, for children and adults, in on-going classes, lecture-demonstrations and workshops. Teachings in Balinese dance, Odissi dance, Movement expression and improvisation, expressing the Divine through dance and Holistic dance are my offerings. She loves the process of teaching, enjoys watching her students grow and discover.

To Contact Barbara, email to: bhava_dance@hotmail.com

Barbara Mintz teaches in California for a few months each year, and for the remainder of the year in Bali, Indonesia.

Her center, called WISDOM, World Institute of Sacred Dance OM, offers classes and workshops in Indian Dance, Balinese Dance, Shakti Dance, Argentine Tango and other World Dance and Music forms. It is located in deep nature near holy springs.

Form more information, please contact:

P.O. Box 167
Ubud, 80571
Bali, Indonesia

bhava_dance@hotmail.com

Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India

2009-01-07T22:37:00.004-05:00