Wheelchair accessible venue
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Venue
The Studio Theatre
Date
September 21, 2024
Showtime
20:00
Duration
1 h 30 mins
Venue Highlights
Free seating: Available on a first-come-first-served basis
Assistive listening device available
Suitable for ages 7+
Renowned Odissi dancer Guru Bichitrananda Swain presents a unique showcase that inhabits the common space between Indian Classical dance and yoga.
Indian Classical dance has long been revered as a form of yoga, with its shared goal of moksha (spiritual liberation) for both the performer and the audience.
Mangalacharan, a popular invocation to the deity in Classical dance, also encapsulates the devotion of Bhakti Yoga. Pallavi—an elaboration of form and rhythm integral to Classical dance—can be seen as an advanced embodiment of the mastery and coordination of physical movements highlighted by Hatha Yoga. The intricate choreography and execution of any dance form demand the intense mental focus of Raja Yoga. And abhinaya, the art of expression or storytelling, draws upon the ‘Nava Rasa’ (nine emotional essences), allowing both the dancer and the audience to experience a profound internal transformation.
Led by globally acclaimed Odissi performer Guru Bichitrananda Swain, this unique presentation seeks to explore these beautiful cultural and spiritual connections through shared expressions – harmonizing the mind, body, and spirit. As an Odissi performer, choreographer, and teacher, Bichintrananda Swain is lauded for his innovative and thought-provoking choreographies. The founder of Rudrakshya Foundation is a leading figure in promoting male aesthetics within the traditionally female-populated dance form.