Odissi Dance Workshop

Odissi is a classical Indian dance style that originates from the East of India. The main positions of the dance are the copies of temple sculptures. Initially Odissi was developing as a temple dance. Almost extinct during the British Raj, it was reconstructed and reborn in 20th century thanks to the efforts of the great gurus (teachers) and their research.

Katrina Rute, who will do the workshop, is a versatile dancer trained in several Indian classical dance styles: Kathak (Jaipur gharana), Bharatnatyam (Kalakshetra style) and Odissi (Kelucharan Mohapatra's gharana). During the last 10 years she has been focusing on Odissi dance. Her Odissi gurus are Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Urbi Basu, Anette Pooja and Poushali Mukherjee. She has also learned from famous Odissi exponents like Madhulita Mohapatra, Madhavi Mudgal and Ileana Citaristi and did a course in Odissi Dance Academy in Bhubaneswar, India.

Katrina has been teaching dance for different age groups for more than 15 years; she has been performing nationally and internationally and took part in various culture events, workshops and TV shows. She has performed for Diwali and Ratha Yatra celebrations on the Trafalgar Square, in the British Museum, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, Indian PM welcoming ceremony in Wembley Stadium, Nehru Centre, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the Alchemy Festival in Southbank Centre, Hammersmith Arts Festival etc. Katrina is teaching Odissi in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

During the workshop the participants will be able to learn some basics of Odissi, try some movements with music, engage in storytelling and see some beautiful Odissi dance items.

Host or Publisher Katrina Rute