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.

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.

The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2026.

Call for Presentations (Performance/ Research): Deadline: February 1 2026

Some of the specific questions we hope this conference will explore are: How can dance practitioners learn from one another about how to cultivate a deep sense of belonging? How can the academic study of dance better include previously excluded communities? To what extent do academic ways of knowing exclude full consideration of spiritual realities? Where is the boundary between the “mainstream” and the “alternative”? What aspects of alternative creativities experience exclusion from the wider field? To what extent should the academy proactively include representatives of traditions that are themselves exclusive? 

Our conferences seek to cultivate deep connections among scholars, educators, artists, and students. Artists will need to submit their materials by February 1 2026. The review committee will complete selections by March 1 2026. You may submit proposals in the following three formats depending upon the best fit:

Artist Lab: Solo performers will be given 10-15 minutes to present their solo craft of traditional repertoire or new choreography. 

Emerging Creatives Showcase: Dancers with less than five years of professional experience may apply for this segment where we will provide ten to twelve minutes of solo dancing opportunities.

Conference Presentation Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc24c-puctSePmZ_cvQiEEBEEjB-Z641gwotWSLOUdZYleS0Q/viewform?usp=header

To ensure inclusion across boundaries of geography and economic ability, our conference is subsidized, allowing both in-person and remote presentations. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to subsidize travel or lodging in Charlotte. We will provide a discussion list to help participants find one another and coordinate travel and lodging.

New Feature: Writing Workshop; Deadline: February 1 2026

Odissi Odyssey conference invites Early Career scholars including doctoral researchers to submit applications for this writing workshop. As scholarship in South Asian Dance Studies continues to grow, this workshop will provide a dedicated space for developing and refining writing in the field. We welcome submissions engaging with South Asian Dance Studies from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, sociology, history, literature, media studies, gender studies, and religious studies.

Author participants will be selected through an application process. This innovative style of workshop, instead of offering a space to present scholarship, offers a space to practice, workshop, and edit scholarship. Each participant will be invited to submit a 4000-word paper a month in advance of the conference. This will then be read by distinguished scholars in the field who have substantial experience in publishing and editing. The 2-hour workshop will bring participants together in small groups (two authors paired with one mentor) for in-depth discussion. Mentors will provide detailed feedback, and participants will have the opportunity to revise, refine, and strengthen their work. The workshop will be in an online format (possibly over platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams). Interested authors are encouraged to submit a 300-word abstract via the portal/link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzjqwQkaH8_gL53re_RA2Ypet0gO0TSdTiUP3rt5e-F70qgw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

More Details : https://odissi.mailchimpsites.com/odissi-odyssey-2026

For Questions: Contact Kaustavi Sarkar at ksarkar@charlotte.edu