Lessons from Guruji!

Beyond form and technique!

D r. R o h i n i D a n d a v a t e !

35 years ago I went to Guruji to learn Odissi dance. ! I have learned more than Odissi from him...!

I learned! the power of reection!

I learned! the joy of small things.!

I learned! ...that creativity must permeate every facet of ones life.!

I learned! that it is important to play!

I learned! that Odissi is not just a dance form,!

 but an expression of a mindset that is...!

Curious Humble Experimental Observant Open to change

Gurujis art is!

Gurujis art isan expression of his mind.

Learning beyond technique

The most effective way to educate and inspire my students with Odissi was to give them a glimpse into Gurujis Mind.

What do they experience while learning Odissi dance?

Tradition Technique Concepts Emotions Sources of Inspiration Expression

Learning from inside out:

How I help students learn Odissi

Explore Concepts and emotions from their own context.

Experience Gurujis choreography

Learning from inside out:

How I help students learn Odissi
Examples from Denison University

Explore
Circle of Life (Lion King)

Experience
Namami (Mangalacharan choreographed by Guruji)

Video available at: http://youtu.be/TZfU2YWXM9M

Explore
Circle of Life (Lion King)

Video available at: http://youtu.be/i0sfmutbOiU

Experience
Namami (Mangalacharan choreographed by Guruji)

Student reactions

Student reactions

I learned to use my body in a completely different way from what I am used to. - Katherine Jorck

Student reactions

This experience will encourage me to not be afraid of new or unfamiliar in my future. Instead of disregarding things that are different from my usual life I will be curious about them and interested to learn about them. - Elizabeth Johnson

Student reactions

Dance is a way of life, a way of thinking, a feeling, my spirit, my soul, me. But yet awkward to the intricacies of Indian classical forms that I had never ever been a part of since my childhood. What changed this? Odissi and you! Thank You. - Behnaz Khusrokhan

Guruji taught me the art of touching peoples lives and I will forever be grateful to him. - Rohini