A Taste of Odissi Dance: Workshop for Beginners May 6, 2006

A Taste of Odissi Dance

Niharika Mohanty
Conducts a Beginners Workshop
Saturday May 6th
9:30-11:30am

At Cultural Integration Fellowship
2650 Fulton Street @ 3rd Avenue
Fee: $40 (payable by check or cash)

Please come at 9:15am to register. Please be in attire that is loose and comfortable to move in.

Odissi is one of the eight principal Indian classical dance forms, from the eastern state of Orissa in India, a land of temples. Today, Odissi visually delights audiences by bringing to life the vast number of dance sculptures abounding the Orissan temple walls. Its deep spirituality stems from its roots in the temples as a form of worship. Odissi, in comparison to the other Indian classical dance styles, is characterized by its fluid torso movements, grace, sculpturesque poses, aesthetic beauty, spirituality, and haunting music.

Niharika Mohanty is one of the prominent disciples in North America of the legendary Padma Vibhushan Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, one of the key re-constructors of Odissi, who had undoubtedly contributed the most to the field since its reconstruction, as a brilliant choreographer, dancer and master percussionist.

Niharika was raised in Canada, but she took to Odissi dance at the tender age of five, training under Guru Murali Dhar Majii, Padmasree Late Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Srimati Ananda Radha, and Srimati Menaka Thakkar. She also possesses an MA in Dance. Niharika has performed extensively as a soloist in North America, Europe and India and also has collaborated with several distinguished dancers of various styles to create pieces which present Odissi in juxtaposition to other dance styles. Today, she continues on a path her Guru had lain out and imparts his style to many aspiring dancers. She and Guru Kelucharan?s daughter-in-law, Sujata Mohapatra, one of the leading Odissi dancers molded to perfection in his style, along with some of her students, are in the process of setting up a unique institution in North America dedicated to him and his vision, style and technique to open in Fall of this year.

Experience:
?An ancient tradition
?A legendary Guru?s vision of beauty
?A dedicated disciple?s teaching style
?Odissi dance

Those seriously interested are invited to join classes in the Fall when the institution formally opens.

Classes will be conducted by Niharika and her senior disciples in San Francisco, Berkeley-Oakland, Peninsula and in the South Bay through the affiliated school, Shruti. Please contact Niharika for more information regarding the workshop or future classes at nmohanty@hotmail.com or (415) 933-9313.