Oxford Odissi Festival

Oxford Odissi Festival is an annual Indian classical dance festival held at University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Oxford Odissi Festival
GenreIndian classical dance
DatesAnnually, last week of May
Location(s)University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Years active2015 - Present
FoundersBaisali Mohanty
Audience enjoying a performance at the 2016 Oxford Odissi Festival held on May 27 at University of Oxford.
Renowned dancer and choreographer Ileana Citaristi performing at Oxford Odissi Festival held on May 27, 2016, at University of Oxford.
A performance at the festival held on February 11, 2017, at the auditorium of St John's College, Oxford.

The festival was founded by Indian dancer and choreographer Baisali Mohanty in 2015 and is organised by Oxford Odissi Centre in association with the High Commission of India to the United Kingdom.[1][2]

Magdalen College of University of Oxford, the venue for the festival

Beside exhibiting new and innovative choreographies in Odissi, the festival showcases all forms of Indian classical dance.[3][4]

History

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The festival was conceptualised by Baisali Mohanty, a master's degree student at University of Oxford and a classical dancer and choreographer, to help popularise Odissi and other forms of Indian classical dance at one of the premier seat of learning.[5][6]

The first edition of the festival was held on May 27, 2016, at the Grove Auditorium of Magdalen College, University of Oxford.[7]

Festival Programme

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The festival hosts solo, duet and group choreographies. A major attraction of the festival is a fusion featuring Odissi, Kathak, Bharata Natyam and Mohiniyattam, highlighting the interconnectedness that runs through this different dance forms, as a reflection of the underlying unity among diverse Indian culture.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ "Oxford Odissi Festival | South Asian Studies". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Odishi fest at Oxford Varsity from today". The Pioneer. 27 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Applause! Odissi dance festival makes it to Oxford University". Odisha Sun Times. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ http://www.citynewsline.co.uk/news/odissi-festival-to-be-held-at-oxford-university-on-may-27 [permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Oxford stage for Odissi recitals". Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Odissi Festival to be held at Oxford University on May 27, Odisha Current News, Odisha Latest Headlines". Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  7. ^ "3-day Odissi fest at Oxford University from today | Prameya News7". Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Odissi beats to resonate at Oxford University". Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Odissi festival gets a rousing reception at Oxford University | OdishaSunTimes.com". Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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