Dona Ganguly Brings Odissi to Life at Cambridge’s First Classical Dance Workshop
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Dona Ganguly creates history at Cambridge, India, with the first Indian classical dance workshop: Today, world renowned Odissi dancer Mrs. Dona Ganguly led the university’s first-ever workshop devoted to Indian classical dance, filling the stately halls of Jesus College, University of Cambridge, with the timeless rhythm of this age-old art form.
The event, which marked a major turning point in Cambridge’s cultural history, brought together students, scholars, and art lovers for an intensive introduction to Odissi, one of India’s eight recognised classical dance forms. Participants gained knowledge of the form’s rich 2,000-year history and spiritual foundations as they were led through its basic movements, expressions, and beliefs.
A wide range of people attended the workshop, many of them were first-time viewers of Indian classical dance. No prior dance expertise was necessary, and the event welcomed people from all backgrounds with an emphasis on inclusivity and cultural respect.
“To share the legacy of Odissi at the University of Cambridge is both an honour and a deeply emotional experience,” stated Mrs. Dona Ganguly, an Indian classical dancer, on this particular occasion. This dance style incorporates storytelling, dedication, and meditation in addition to movement. Seeing such eager engagement and receptivity to Indian culture here makes me happy. Through art, this exchange creates understanding bridges that go beyond performance.
The program highlights Cambridge’s dedication to cultural diversity and international engagement while reflecting the growing interest in Indian classical traditions around the world. In order to encourage a deeper examination of Indian performing arts in academic settings, the organisers hope that this will be the first of many such events.
The response to the session was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising Ganguly’s teaching style as well as the dance’s beauty. Future partnerships and enhanced programming on Indian traditional arts are already being discussed.
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