22 dancers perform Odissi at NY diaspora event for PM

BHUBANESWAR: A group of 22 US-based Odia dancers performed Odissi at the community programme put together by the Indian diaspora for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Sunday.
Draped in red and white 'khandua pata' (silk) specially sourced from Odisha, the dancers presented 'Dasavatara' at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale. The dance culminated with Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.
The music was created by mixing 'Dasavatara' Odissi beats of Guru Debaprasad Das gharana with 'Yada yada hi dharmasaya' under the guidance of Guru Gayatri Ranbir of Nrutyayan, Bhubaneswar. She also guided US dancers online during rehearsals and sent them videos on how to get the steps right.
"The dance depicts Lord Vishnu's avatars symbolising divine presence and triumph of dharma," said Rashmirekha Rajguru, choreographer and lead dancer. The theme was chosen as Odissi dancers are trained in it. "Besides, it is an important part of our mythology and people can connect with it easily," said Aradhana Das, another choreographer and performer.
The trained dancers of different ages were drawn from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They started practising two weeks before the PM's visit. "It has been an adventurous and memorable experience as we put the performance together at short notice," said Rashmirekha. Odissi costume designer Atal Bihari Nanda helped them source their attire in time.
Earlier, Sanskrit Jee from New Jersey, a young member of Odisha Society of Americas (OSA), presented a painting to Modi when he landed at Philadelphia airport. It was signed by the PM. Sanskrit was chosen through a painting competition organised by OSA.