NRITYAGRAM DANCE ENSEMBLE

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS

Streamed from the Nrityagram Dance Village studios, these virtual offerings allow audiences worldwide, to engage with a globally renowned Odissi dance company. Hailed by The New York Times as “among the world’s greatest dancers” these virtual activities give audiences access to the company and their dance village like never before.

• Technology: Zoom or other live streaming platform provided by presenter.

• Company requires Presenter to provide a stage manager to run virtual activities. A tech rehearsal with the stage manager is required before every event. 

• All activities are adaptable and can be tailored to meet the needs of the presenter.

CURATED ARCHIVAL SERIES (Option to include live chat)

Offering streaming opportunities for curated archival collections that provide a rare chance to watch or rediscover dances from earlier years of the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, with an introduction by Artistic Director and Choreographer Surupa Sen.

This Series is available to Presenters interested in exclusive footage from the Video Vaults of Nrityagram, that has only been viewed live and is not available online. 

Option A: Excerpt of dance work with a recorded introduction by Surupa Sen.
Approx running time: 15 minutes total

Option B: Select Excerpts from a show introduced by Surupa Sen
Approx running time: 30 minutes total + 15-20 minute Post Performance Chat with Surupa Sen

Option C: Evening Length show introduced by Surupa Sen
Approx running time 50 minutes total + 15-20 minute Post Performance Chat with Surupa Sen.

Note regarding Introductions: Surupa will briefly introduce Odissi dance followed by an explanation about the piece the audience is about to see. These introductions, which are a part of all Nrityagram performances, offer a window to the viewer to enable them to find and understand the nuances and meanings of a stylized classical dance. 

VIRTUAL TOUR: NRITYAGRAM DANCE VILLAGE

Go on a virtual tour of the Nrityagram Dance Village. Located outside Bangalore in Southern India, this lush ten-acre dance village founded by Protima Gauri in 1990, has been home to the internationally renowned Nrityagram Dance Ensemble for almost 30 years.

A rare opportunity to visit the grounds of this exemplary company that has been visited by notable personalities including Mark Morris, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mick Jagger.

Led by Artistic Director Surupa Sen, the tour may include a brief view of rehearsals-in-progress or footage of performance excerpts not available online. 

Details:

• Live Tour option possible, contact Pentacle for details.

• Running Time: Approx 50-60 minutes (40 minute multimedia and talk + 10-20 minute Q&A) 

SCHOOL MATINEE: DANCE VILLAGE ODYSSEY

The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble transports students on a magical journey through time and space to Eastern India, the birthplace of Odissi – one of the world’s oldest dance forms.

Geared specifically for young audiences, company members illustrate the breathtaking beauty of the dance, demonstrating how it reflects the motifs of ancient Odisha temple sculpture as well as the poetry from the deep wellsprings of Oriya music.

This engaging lecture-demonstration which includes audience participation, will introduce the language of Odissi, from body positions and basic movement to the “Language of Expressional Dance” with hand gestures and facial expressions.

Excerpts from Nrityagram’s vast repertoire will also be streamed as part of the presentation. A one-of-a-kind cultural exchange, students engage with India’s premiere dance ensemble, culminating in a Q&A session with the dancers. 

Details:

• Student Audience Grade Range: Grade 4 (ages 9-10 yrs old) to High School (ages 14-18)

• Running Time: Approx 50 minutes + 10 minute Q&A 

ARTIST TALK: NRITYAGRAM & CHITRASENA

Join Surupa Sen, Artistic Director of Nrityagram and Heshma Wignaraja, Artistic Director of Chitrasena Dance Company from Sri Lanka, as they discuss their collaboration over the years, beginning with their first work Saṃhāra and their most recent collaboration, Āhuti, bringing Odissi and Kandyan dance forms together. 

Details:

• Excerpts of their collaborative work, Saṃhāra and Āhuti, are featured through the talk.

• Presenter to provide moderator or may be provided by company.

• Running Time: Approx 50-60 minutes (40 minute mul<media and talk + 10-20 minute Q&A) 

VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES

MOVEMENT WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO ODISSI DANCE

This introductory class is an opportunity to learn basic abstract movement phrases and the body-training specific to Odissi, as evolved and practiced at Nrityagram.

The company begins with a brief lecture that traces Odissi dance from its origin to how it is practiced today, specifically at Nrityagram. This is followed by a demonstratin to illustrate the body training practiced at Nrityagram, the language of Odissi: body positions, basic movement technique, and the use of hand gestures and facial expressions for expressional dance. To end the demonstration, the technique and language of Odissi dance is brought to life through the performance of an excerpt.

Participants then learn Isolated body training techniques used at Nrityagram, and a basic phrase that provides a brief but complete experience of Odissi dance vocabulary. 

Details:

• Instructor: Pavithra Reddy

• 25 students Max

• Dress code: Full-length tracks or yoga pants & a comfortable t-shirt. No Shorts or Skirts.

• Running Time: 90 minutes 

LECTURE DEMONSTRATION: ODISSI DANCE

An introduction to Odissi dance as evolved and practiced at Nrityagram, the lecture – demonstration provides an opportunity for participation and interaction with the dancers and serves as a tool to better understand a performance.

The company begins with a brief lecture that traces Odissi dance from its origin to how it is practiced today, specifically at Nrityagram.

This is followed by a demonstration to illustrate the body training practiced at Nrityagram, to prepare the dancer’s body and prevent injury.

The dancers then demonstrate the language of Odissi: body positions and basic movement technique are deconstructed, and the language of expressional dance is explained with hand gestures and facial expressions.

And finally, the technique and language of Odissi dance is brought to life through performance of a dance piece.

The event ends with a Live Q&A session with the company. 

Details:

• Includes Company members

• For young audiences, lecture is reduced and dance / demonstrations are increased.

• Running Time: 75 minutes + 15 minute Q&A 

ARTIST TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Topics include but are not limited to classical Indian dance, Āhuti – featuring Odissi & Kandyan dance forms, Odissi and sculpture, Odissi dance music and rhythms, the poetry of the Gita Govinda, religion and dance, temple architecture and dance, the Natyashastra, storytelling through dance, costumes, body conditioning and injury prevention, gender studies, and the Nrityagram dance village.