Press Release
Dated :March 20, 2019
EMBASSY OF INDIA
DOHA
Odissi dance performance at Sheraton Doha today
An Odissi dance performance by Rina Jana & Group is being organized by the Embassy of India, Doha at the Al Majlis Hall, Sheraton, on March 21, 2019, at 18:45 hrs; and again on 22nd March at Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) being held at Oxygen Park (Education City) as part of ‘India-Qatar Year of Culture-2019’.
Odissi is an ancient Indian classical dance form which originated in Odisha, a state in Eastern India. It is traditionally a part of the dance-drama genre of performing arts. One of the most characteristic features of Odissi dance is the Tribhangi, where the body is bent in three parts like neck, torso and the knee and is considered one of the most graceful positions.
The performances are composed and choreographed by Guru Rina Jana, who is a veteran artist and one of the frontline exponents of Odissi. She was trained under the tutelage of Padma-Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra and Padma-Shri Sanjukta Panigrahi. In all the items, the music is sweet and melodious, pure and classical. The troupe consists of 5 dancers and 6 musicians and the performance consists of six items as per following details:
The performances include an invocation called 'Mangalacharana' primarily expressing gratitude; ‘Dashavatar’, a celebration of the triumph of good over evil; ‘Basanta Pallavi’ welcomes spring, a pleasing season with its blossoms, fragrance filled breezes and colorfulness is very dear to all; ‘Abhinaya I & II’ encompasses expressional dance to communicate a story or enacting a song which speaks about love; and ‘Moksha’ the concluding item, wherein the performers depict its importance, which literally means salvation or emancipation.
The Embassy of India cordially invites all friends and well-wishers to join us for an evening of Odissi Dance. The event represents a celebration of Indian classical dance.
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