ICMCA proudly presents an Odissi dance drama by Srishti Dances of India. Shatarupa: Splendorous Myths and Divinities of India Dance Drama and Classical Odissi Dance Choreographies (Sreyashi Dey with Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and an Odissi troupe from India) Saturday, October 18, 7:00 PM Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium (1102 South Congress Avenue, Austin) This performance will showcase the rich classical traditions of classical Indian dance in the Odissi style performed by well-known artists from India and Pittsburgh. Srishti Artistic Director Sreyashi Dey will be joined by Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and an Odissi troupe from Bhubaneswar, India for the performance in Pittsburgh as well as touring in several other cities in the US. The performance will visually capture the many splendoured mythology of India, the many Gods and Goddesses and their wondrous legends. The traditional choreographies by the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and other renowned Gurus such as Gangadhar Pradhan and Pankaj Charan Das, restaged in ensemble formats, will capture the grace and beauty of the Odissi style. The first part of the program will feature traditional pieces such as: • Shiva Panchaka Mangalacharan (invocation to Lord Shiva) • Bilahari Pallavi (rhythmic piece based on Raga Bilahari) • Naba Durga (on the nine forms of the Goddess Durga) • Ashtapadi (depicting love stories of Lord Krishna and Radha, from the Sanskrit classic Geeta Govindam) • Mokshya (dance symbolizing the ultimate release or liberation) The second part of the program will feature a Dance Drama, Kanchi Abhijan, based on a myth surrounding Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of Orissa, the land of Odissi dance. India has had a strong tradition of dance dramas since ancient times. While many of the dance dramas are in various regional folk styles, classical dance dramas use highly evolved technical vocabulary of classical dance and music, combined with traditions of dramatic story-telling to create enduring works of classic choreography. In keeping with Srishti's presentation style, the performance will be accessible to all audiences irrespective of age or ethnicity, augmented by English narration to explain the nuances of the choreographies to the audience. Guru Manoranjan Pradhan Manoranjan Pradhan is one of the most talented, leading male Odissi dancers today. He trained at the Orissa Dance Academy in India with Guru Gangadhar Pradhan (who continues to teach him even today), completing his Master's degree in Odissi dance at Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, through Utkal University, in association with many world-famous Gurus. Mr. Pradhan then, both privately and under the auspices of Odissi Research Center, studied with renowned Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Mr. Pradhan has performed extensively in India and the U.S.A., as well as in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. He is frequently invited to teach and perform in the U.S.A. by such organizations as the Center for World Music in San Diego, the Orissa Society of America, and Indo American Society. An outstanding performer, Mr. Pradhan has received many awards. As a solo and group artist, his performances have been broadcast in India on national and regional television. He has been recognized as an 'A' Grade Artist by the Government of Orissa, and has several compositions to his name. In 2000, Mr. Pradhan toured the U.S.A. with Ralph Lemmon's "Tree, Part 2 of the Geography Trilogy", collaborating with Mr. Lemmon and a company of international dancers and musicians from the Ivory Coast, Japan, Taiwan, China and the U.S.A. In conjunction with Tree, he conducted several Odissi workshops at universities throughout the country. Currently, Mr. Pradhan is involved in research and innovative works in the development of Odissi dance and its creative aspects.

Learn more about the graceful dance form of Odissi, and about our Principal dancer, at Sreyashi's website.
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