Ethnic Dance Festival Auditions 2016

Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco is an annual cultural event that has been successfully running for close to four decades. It is an occasion to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area in one of the grandest settings in San Francisco—the Palace of Fine Arts. Auditions for the summer 2017 event took place in November 2016. I was part of a group of dancers who represented Odissi Vilas, the dance school where I have been learning Odissi.
Title of piece: Bhagavathy Sthothrum
This Sthothrum, (a prayer or a hymn) is dedicated to Goddess Shakthi (also fondly known as Bhagavathy, in rural temples). A protector for all those who seek her presence, the verses originated as a form of meditation by Sage Vyasa to be recited regularly at home or anywhere with pure devotion to the goddess to do away with sorrows and attain the confidence and courage to face all personal challenges in life. During times when much violence surrounds us, the Bhagavathy Sthothrum has the power to bring peace and restore faith for a brighter tomorrow. (When facing the dancers, I am in an orange costume in second position on the right.)