Dancers of Indian styles speak through meticulously applied technique. In this way the dancer’s body faithfully speaks the language of their gurus and carry forth the mid-twentieth century repertoire of Odissi to the present day. But what if we let the dancer’s body speak the many embodied languages she knows? What if the 21st century Odissi dancer could allow her body to speak in many tongues- the embodied language of the quotidian, the clownish, the folk, the pop and the urban? In this work Maitra and dancers at Chowk showcase the range of languages the trained dancer can speak through her body - a range of embodiments across caste, class, ethnic, urban and rural lines. A new creole of Asian performance emerges, filling the gaps between the 20, discrete steps of Odissi that are the pedagogic and creative backbone of the form.

Location - BLACK BOX @ Drama Centre