Announcements

New Voices and Pathways in South Asian Dance Research

Scholarship and practice of South Asian dance forms, especially Odissi has grown considerably in the past decade. Scholars such as Anurima Banerji (2017, 2019); Nandini Sikand (2017); Kaustavi Sarkar (2017); Ileane Citaristi (2023) have explored many facets of the form including its history through ancient, medieval and modern times, new choreographies and experiments with the form, the influence of temple dancers or maharis on the dance form, and the relationship of the dance form with literary marvels such as the Geeta Govinda. Though originating in the east Indian state of Odisha, the scholarship, practice, and dissemination of Odissi has transcended geographical boundaries and we have practitioners (to name a few) such as Ramli Ibrahim (Malaysia); Suraj Soobramanium (UK); Elena Catalano (UK); Vishnu Tattwa Das, Nandini Sikand, Kaustavi Sarkar (USA); Paromita Kar (Canada);  who continue to work with the form providing new enriching perspectives. In response to these ongoing developments, this conference on “New Voices and Pathways in South Asian Dance Research” seeks to create a forum for choreographic explorations and critical scholarship.

UNC Charlotte Dance is the proud presenter of Odyssey/ Odissi Conference since 2019. Dance and Community Research Institute (dNc) at UNC Charlotte Dance is now accepting proposals for the 2026 conference, New Voices and Pathways in South Asian Dance Research. The conference will take place in hybrid format on May 1-3, 2026, with virtual sessions on May 1, 2026. We invite proposals for papers, workshops, performances, and artist talks that both experiment with and interrogate aesthetic diversity. We welcome research that brings fresh perspectives to history, pedagogy, and aesthetics, and that engages with the multiple ways dance continues to evolve as a dynamic, living tradition.

Tentative Conference Schedule: 

Friday May 1 2026 (Virtual Only): Registration

9:00 am EST: Odissi in Pakistan

10:30 am EST: Lineage Histories

12:30 pm EST: Dance Studies Discourse

2:00 pm EST: Writing Workshop

6:00 pm EST: Honors Induction/ Keynote Lecture

Saturday May 2 2026 (In-Person Only): Registration

9:00 am EST: Artist Lab/ Research Lab: Moving Images

2:00 pm EST: Plies and Pirouttes: Box-Office

7:00 pm EST: Spiraling Echoes: Box-Office

Sunday May 3 2026 (In-Person Only): Registration

9:00 am EST: Artist Lab/ Research Lab: Grounded Nimble

2:00 pm EST: Moving Praxis: Box-Office

7:00 pm EST: Transforming Worlds: Box-Office

For Questions: Contact Kaustavi Sarkar at ksarkar@charlotte.edu/ +1 (980) 263-1471