Understanding Classical Dance

To enable art lovers to better understand classical dance, Bengal Foundation arranged their regular series of lecture and demonstration programme at the Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct in The Daily Star centre on March 18.

Celebrated dancer-choreographer Sharmila Banerjee with noted Bangladeshi Odissi dancer Benazir Salam presented the fourth programme on the classical dance genre Odissi with live performances by Benazir Salam, Jasim Uddin, Sudeshna Swayamprabha, Nabiha Tahsin Ahona, Afia Ibnat Halim, Tasmia Mashiat Raya, Ira Bala and Marsia Shyama Sarker.

Swarup Hossain accompanied the performers on Pakhawaj. The featured performances, including Jaganath Bandana, demonstration of basic elements of Odissi dance, pallavi, abhinaya and moksha, followed the style of Guru Pankajcharan Das and Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra.

The presentation also included narrations on the roots, evolution and historical development of Odissi dance along with audio visual presentations.