Odissi Dance with Sharbani Datta

About this event

Adults (Ages 24 to 49), New Adults (Ages 19 to 23), Older Adults (Ages 50+), Teens (Ages 12 to 18). Join instructor Sharbani Datta for a 12-week Odissi course, culminating in a Community Performance at the Redmond Library on Sunday, September 13 for Welcoming Week. This course will take place every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm starting Tuesday, June 16 with the final class on Tuesday, September 1st. This course is designed to be progressive, and participants will build on the skills they learn each week towards a routine that will be performed during Welcoming Week. To participate in the Community Performance, participants must attend a minimum of 80% of the classes (9 of the 12). For those looking to ‘drop in’ and learn more about the art form of Odissi, please feel free to do so. While the class will be focused on the group working towards the Community Performance, patrons are welcome to observe or follow along. More About Odissi Dance: Odissi is one of the oldest classical dance traditions of India, originating in the eastern state of Odisha. It has a history that dates back over 2,000 years and was traditionally performed in temples by female dancers known as Maharis as a form of devotional offering. Odissi is known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive gestures (mudras) that are used to tell stories, often based on Hindu mythology. A distinctive feature of the dance is the “tribhangi” posture, where the body is bent in three parts—head, torso, and knees—creating a fluid, sculptural effect inspired by ancient temple carvings. Today, Odissi is performed on stage worldwide and remains a powerful blend of spirituality, storytelling, and artistic expression. Instructor Sharbani Datta is a distinguished Odissi dancer and educator, holding a Sangeet Bhaskar (Master’s degree) from Pracheen Kala Kendra, affiliated with Chandigarh University. With over 34 years of dedicated experience, her journey reflects a deep commitment to learning, evolv