A 13-member dance troupe led by Padmashri Ms Kiran Segal presented an Odissi dance recital on the occasion of 63rd Republic Day of India on January 16, 2012 at Changning District Art Centre, Shanghai. The event elicited an enthusiastic response from a largely Chinese audience. A large number of people from the diplomatic community in Shanghai were also present. The event was organized with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC). This was the 3rd consecutive year that Consulate organized a classical dance recital on the occasion of Republic Day.

    Odissiis one of the five major classical dance forms of India thattraces its origins to the ritual dances performed in the temples of the Indian state of Odisha. It is also the oldest surviving dance form of India. The rhythm and gestures used in Odissi dance have a distinct style of its own.

    Kiran Segal is one of the most innovative and outstanding dancer/choreographers of Odissi Dance today. The more than one hour performance by Ms Segal and her troupe in Shanghai that included Mangalacharan, Sthai, Pallavi, Nindati Chandanam, & Taalaangiya helped the Chinese audience to familiarize themselves with some of the finest aspects of India’s rich music and dance tradition. Ms Segal, who is recipient of many awards including Sahitya Kala Academy Award, Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award & the 'Padmashri' (fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India), left a deep impression on the audience. The performance/choreography was described by some of the viewers as ‘powerful’ and ‘dramatic’.

    Additionally, the Consulate also organized a workshop by the visiting troupe in its premises on January 15, 2012. The workshop also saw good attendance with majority being ethnic Chinese.

Audience

MCs explaining intricacies of dance form

Manglacharan

Sthai

Sthai

Pallavi

Audience sitting spellbound

Nindati Chandnam

Taalangiya

Taalangiya