Odissi Odyssey

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.

Conference Schedule: 

Friday May 1 2026 (Virtual Only): Registration

9:00 am EST: Odissi's Tangled Histories: Sheema Kermani and Arshiya Sethi

10:30 am EST: Lineage Histories: Yashoda Thakore, Shriya Patnaik, Krishnendu Pal, Pratichi Priyambada, Nibedita Kuiry, Sinjini Chatterjee, and Debanjali Biswas

12:30 pm EST: Beyond Tradition: Gender, Embodiment, and Epistemic Revisions in Indian Dance: Aryama Bej, Shravasti Ingle, Shweta Mangalath, and Vishnupriyaa Pulickel Sajeevu

2:00 pm EST: Writing Workshop: Writing Mentors: Harshita Mruthinti Kamath, Anusha Kedhar, Kaustavi Sarkar, Nandini Sikand; Writing Mentees: Aneesha Balakrishnan, Mihika Banerjee, Rima Bhattacharjee, Parveen Kanhai, Monali NandyMazumdar, Vishnupriyaa Pulickel Sajeevu, Sriradha Paul, and Preethi Ramaprasad.

6:00 pm EST: Honors Induction/ Keynote Lecture: Pallavi Basak, Anirban Bhattacharyya, Sharmila Biswas

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

9:00 am EST: Artist Lab: Moving Images: Professionals: Trina Sarkar, Yaman Kalyan Patnaik, Shubhashree Mohanty, Maureen Nandini Mitra, Ishika Majumder, Mohana Das, Krishnaveni Putrevu,Aparna Krishnamoorthy, Srabonti Bandyopadhyay, Swati Sharma, Priyadarshini Inman, Gargi Chattopadhyaya, Pallavi Surendranath, Akhila Vrindavanam; Emerging Creatives: Tanushka Mahapatra, Anika Singh, Jiya Sood, Rishmita Sit, Shreyasi Mukund;

9:00 am EST: Research Lab: Moving Images: Ujaan Ghosh, Amrita Chowdhury, Pallabi Chakravorty, among others.

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

1. Ramashtakam By Krishnaveni Putrevu;

2. Kamakhya By Sriradha Paul;

3. Dasamahavidya By Bani Ray;

4. Clothesline By Jeevika Bhat;

5. Keynote By Dr. Ileana Citaristi:

1. Sabda Swara Pallavi
2. Lajare Sarigali Aaja
3. Sabari

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

1. Shiva Panchakshari By Rugmini Sreejith;
2. Nritya Dhwani School of Performing Arts Presents
3. Sattriya Dance (Ghosa)
4. Kathak - Saraswati Vandana
5. Sattriya Dance - Rojaghoriya Chali
6. Mohe Rang Do Laal
7. Badal Garaje- Dhrupad Kathak
8. Kathak Angikam Bhuvanam
9. Konark Kanti By (Open-Access); Geeta Govinda By Arpita Rakshit Sabud; Bihag Pallavi By Odissi Vilas;
10. Pallavi Academy of Kuchipudi Dance Presents

•            Mandooka Shabdam
•           Bhoshambho

11. Yugmadwanda Pallavi (Open Access);

12. Children's Dance from Tikli Odissi Kala Kendra Curated By Tikli Meena Patnaik;

12. Ashwini Kathak Dance Academy Presents

•             Sadra
•             Hori
•             Rhydhun

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

9:00 am EST: Artist Lab: Grounded Nimble: Sujatha Manjigani, Tikli Meena Patnaik, Arkadipta Bakshi, Esha Goyal, Karthika Manoj, Lalitha Sree Bulusu, among others.

9:00 am EST: Research Lab: Grounded Nimble: Cherie Sampson, Leia Devadason, Ileana Citaristi, Sriradha Paul, among others.

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

1. Sarada By Open-Access-Odissi
2. Musical Gestures By Guru Amrita Biswas
3. Thumri By Ashwini Gogate
4. Musical Gestures By Guru Lalitha Chitra
5. Batu By Open-Access-Odissi
6. Musical Gestures By Guru Nalini Parimi
7. Prana Sangini Re By Monali NandyMazumdar
8. Ranjani Mala By Rugmini Sreejith
9. Brahmam Okate By Krishna Nagrajan
10. Trivat By Esha Goyal
11. Shiva Charanam By Krishna Nagrajan
12. Mira Bhajan By Esha Goyal
13. Superstars By Krishna Nagrajan
14. Bolly Gestures By Esha Goyal
15. Semi-classical Stars By Krishna Nagrajan

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

1. Nondual Gestures: A Musical Invocation By Guru Mallika Vadlamani
2. Youth Inaugural Ceremony By UNC Charlotte Dance Townhall with Vedanta Center and NrityaDhwani
3. Priye Charushile By Guru Vishnu Tattva Das
4. Tri-M Music Society Spring 2026 Induction
5. Green Pledge
6. Keynote Panel: Dr. Trevor Pearce, Dr. Eddy Souffrant, Swami Sarvapriyananda, and Dr. Mark Pizzato

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