We worked with the Rudrakshya troupe Foundation to learn the Rageshree piece in Sep 2023. A year later, two of their dance troupe members (Santhosh and Samir) were in the Bay Area performing and assisting us in our school dance recital along with other performances. We squeezed in an intimate dance performance at the Dresher …
This was a wonderful and cherished re-bonding experience with the one and only Gireeja Ranade. From being housemates during my early days of learning Odissi, rehearsing as part of many group performances and now as moms to young ones, an opportunity to perform a duet arose and we snatched it. We were under a strict …
I clearly remember the first day my Guruji started teaching Aaravi Pallavi. It was in the middle of the pandemic in November 2020. We were traveling on our bicycle tour. I had good internet connection for the Saturday class. I set up my laptop on the kitchen counter of our AirBnb in Tuxtla, Chiapas, Mexico. …
A special duet performance of the Rageshree piece we learnt in Sep 2023 from the Rudrakshya Foundation. Maureen and I were still focussed on perfecting the dance item and shelved all possible choreographies for a future date. In the mean time though, this was the most intimate stage space I have performed as yet. By …
How exciting to take a workshop piece learnt in Sept 2023 from the Rudrakshya Foundation troupe! A different choreographer and elements in the dance that are unique to this it. After what feels like ages the combination of Maureen, Jenny and I got to take it to the stage at the Himalayan Fair. And it …
Performing at the Himalayan Fair is always a treat. The audience is so close to the performance stage, they are tuned in and the immense energy is felt every year with every performance. This year I had the additional honor of sharing the stage with Charlette. She has been learning Odissi for over a decade …
Welcome to “My epic Indian Swayamvara”. I made this series around the year 2014-2015 as a way for me to look back, and cherish this personal saga. Since then I decided to share with others who may be in different stages of the process. Mostly, my intention has been to add humor to what …
As part of the AAPI celebrations, our dance school, Odissi Vilas was invited to perform at the Bohol Immigrant Park event organized by Rhthymix Cultural Works. Leading up to the performance day, most of our practices happened on zoom. Interestingly, it was a one off time for us when earlier that day we had performed …
The city of San Francisco had reached out to Odissi Vilas to participate in an SF downtown revival program. We were elated to help out and spread cultural awareness about Odissi in the heart of downtown near the Ferry Building. Manasi, Maureen and I performed several items over a period of 2 hours on a …
The city of San Francisco had reached out to Odissi Vilas to participate in an SF downtown revival program. We were elated to help out and spread cultural awareness about Odissi in the heart of downtown near the Ferry Building. Manasi, Maureen and I performed several items over a period of 2 hours on a …