Rasabiva: A Festival of Dance
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Date: 13 September 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Venue: KCC Amphitheatre
Rasabiva: A Festival of Dance is a rare convergence of performance and pedagogy in the world of Odissi. Presented by Orissa Dance Academy under the National Presence Scheme 2024–25 by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with venue support from Kolkata Centre for Creativity, the festival unfolds over four days.
Across two evenings of performance, audiences will witness the artistry of both emerging and established Odissi soloists, alongside full-length ensemble productions by Odissi Vision & Movement Centre and Orissa Dance Academy. Highlights include Jaati Nadighosh by Guru Aruna Mohanty (Padma Shri Awardee) & group, and Pingala by Smt. Madhusmita Mohanty (Ustad Bismillah Khan Awardee).
This celebration of rasa (aesthetic emotion) invites audiences and dancers alike to experience Odissi’s vitality through connection, empathy, and trust.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Guru Sharmila Biswas is a celebrated Odissi dancer, choreographer, and educator, renowned for her innovative artistry and profound impact on Indian classical dance. Founder of Kolkata’s Odissi Vision & Movement Centre, she has transformed the landscape of Odissi with her pioneering research, choreography, and mentorship. A disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, she blends tradition with contemporary vision, drawing from her deep study of the art’s history and aesthetics. Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Guru Sharmila Biswas’ work has resonated across global stages, reflecting her dedication to excellence, exploration, and uplifting the spirit of dance.
Guru Aruna Mohanty, one of the most esteemed exponents of Odissi, is revered for her luminous artistry, visionary choreography, and selfless dedication to the classical tradition. Born in Bhubaneswar in 1960, she trained under legendary Gurus such as Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, imbibing the soul of the art form. As Secretary of the Odisha Dance Academy and recipient of the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Guru Aruna has carried Odissi to global stages. Her creations, rich in research, storytelling, and spiritual depth, continue to inspire generations, embodying grace, devotion, and the timeless essence of Guru–shishya parampara.
