Tara Pandeya is a second-generation dancer, teacher and choreographer. She is an international performing artist who is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of dance from the Silk Road region of Central Asia. She specializes in dance from the regions of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, East Turkestan, Iran, Kurdistan and Azerbaijan.
As the daughter of a professional dancer and arts educator Tara was exposed to traditional dance and music since infancy. From childhood Tara trained in multiple styles including Classical South and North Indian, traditional Middle Eastern, Central Asian and ethno-contemporary dance. Tara began performing at a young age and was consistently the youngest performing member in all the companies she joined including: Bea’s Knees, Aywah!, Kalanjali, Ballet Afsaneh and Wan Chao Chang Dance Company. She is a disciple of Kathak artist Antonia Minnecola (from the school of Sitara Devi).
She has completed dance residencies in Tajikistan and Uyghur Autonomous Xinjiang, China (formerly East Turkestan). Tara also conducted anthropological dance research in these regions both through the ‘Tajik Dance Initiative’ and independently with dance scholars and traditional artists in the field. She has traveled and studied in India, the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Europe. She holds certificates from Alif University in Fez, Morocco and the University of California, Berkeley. Tara holds a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Arabic from Saint Mary’s College LEAP (Liberal Education for Arts Professionals) Program.
Following her artist in residency in Tajikistan, Tara wrote her thesis paper on Tajik identity as it relates to traditional performing arts. Accompanying her thesis, Tara made a one-hour dance documentary compiled from footage captured while in the Pamir Mountains.
In 2010, Tara was cast as the lead character ‘Oceane’ (the goddess of water) in Cirque du Soleil’s production of Dralion, she is currently touring North America with this production. She will be availible for touring during the 2012-2013 season.
Dances of the Central Asian Silk Road
Tara Catherine Pandeya specializes in dance and music from the Silk Road region. Concerts can be presented in solo format or as a duet, with Master Doira percussionist Abbos Kosimov of Uzbekistan. Programs may include a unique mix of dance and music from the regions of Central Asia including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Ugyhur Xinjiang.
Concerts can also be tailored to present an entire evening of dance devoted to one country displaying regional styles specific to that area. An accompanying lecture-demonstration can be included as well, further describing the culture, costuming, traditions and musical genres of the region. The repertoire includes both traditional and contemporary dance and music, upon selection.
The goal of these performances is to promote dialogue, interest and cross-cultural understanding between Eastern and Western cultures through the preservation and development of Central Asian arts.
Tara offers workshops in the various Central Asian styles she performs as well as other international styles for which she has training. Various of these may be offered as part of residency activities.
Central Asian dance styles :
Country: Tajikistan- Style:Tajik (Pamiri, Kulyobi, Shashmakom, Samarqandi),
Country: Uzbekistan -Style: Uzbek (Khorezm, Ferghana, Bukharan)
Country: Afghanistan- Style: Afghan (Attan, Loghari, Herati-qandegi,
Khaghazbadazi-kite dance)
Country: Uyghur Xinjiang, China – Style: Uyghur (Uzum-grape dance of
Turpan, Piola 6 cup balance dance, Dolan meshurup, Atush, Hotan,
Kashgar kiz)
Country: Azerbaijan- Style: Azeri (lezgi, tea saucer dance)
Persian Dance:
Country: Iran – Style: Classical & Contemporary
Persian Folk Dances – Gilan-Qassem Abadi, Bandari, Qash’qai
Other styles:
Country: India- Style: Bollywood and Bhangra
Country: Turkey – Style: Ottoman balance dance
Country: Morocco – Style: Moroccan Tea Tray Balance Dance
Traditional Shikat and Guedra of North Africa
Turkish spoon dance
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