Odissi dance entices the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

Graceful and dramatic, ?Shatarupa: Splendorous Myths and Divinities of India,? comes to the… Graceful and dramatic, ?Shatarupa: Splendorous Myths and Divinities of India,? comes to the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater this weekend to cultivate our minds and enrich our knowledge of Indian dance and celebration. This production is a collaboration of dance, drama and classical Odissi choreographies led by artists from India and Pittsburgh. The program features the Kanchi Abhijan dance performance while the entrancing mythology of India comes to life on a colorfully costumed stage.

The ensemble creates the grace and beauty of the Odissi style, an Indian classical dance from the eastern Indian state of Orissa. There is evidence that this particular style was performed in temples of Orissa as far back as the second century B.C. and originally served as a sacred ritual dedicated to the gods. Odissi stands out as a sensual, lyrical, and soft dance that captures the devotion and divinity of the temples of Orissa.

In the Shatarupa performance, dancers entice the audience with their eyes and the subtle, technique-oriented gestures made with their hands and manifested in their precise footwork. There are five wondrous legends in this program about Indian gods and goddesses. The Mardala, also known as pakhawaj, small cymbals, a flute and veena ? a stringed instrument similar to the sitar ? typically accompany the Odissi dance.

Srishti is a Pittsburgh-based dance company led by Sreyashi Dey, an accomplished dancer in the Odissi and Bharata Natyam styles. She has been recognized, through many prestigious dance awards, for her noteworthy footwork technique, graceful movements, gentle hands and alluring eyes.

The company?s mission is to present India?s cultural heritage through dance, music, theater and collaboration with artists from around the world. This show will feature two dance troupes from India: Dey with Guru Manoranjan Pradhan, and the Odissi Troupe. The show will have English narration.

?Shatarupa: Splendorous Myths and Divinities of India? plays at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, located at 5941 Penn Ave. in East Liberty, Sat., Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for students. Call (412) 363-3000 for more information.