Fridays, 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Oct 9, 16 & 23
Classical Indian Dance Foundations
In this beginners class, we will go over foundational steps, body positions, and hand mudras to build the strength and technical skills needed for Classical Indian Dance choreography. The style is called Odissi, and it comes from Odisha, India. It is rooted in Hindu tradition and combines rhythmic footwork with fluid torso movements, hand mudras, and facial expressions.
Odissi tradition was lost over centuries of cultural oppression and was resurrected by dancers and scholars in the 1950's based on the few people left who knew about it, from temple carvings, and from texts. I am humbled and honored to have learned this tradition from an accomplished performer and to have her blessing in sending my knowledge forward into the world.