The Evergreen State College to host
touring Odissi Dance Troupe from India

The Evergreen State College is pleased to announce an Odissi classical dance recital by the 15 member touring Rudrakshya Dance Troupe from India on Friday, July 14, 2006 at 8:00 pm in the college’s Communications Building. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for students and seniors and are available at Rainy Day Records, online at BuyOlympia.com, the Evergreen College Bookstore or at the Box Office one hour before show time.

Founded in 2000 by Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain, Rudrakshya is dedicated to the enhancement of the Odissi dance style with special emphasis on developing new and innovative choreography, Rudrakshya seeks to preserve the integrity of this art form by building upon the foundation reconstructed and developed by the forefathers of Odissi. Founder and choreographer Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain has gained accolades for his innovative choreography and has emerged as one of the leading Gurus in the next generation of Odissi dance.

Odissi is a classical style of dance from India that traces its origins to the ritual dances performed in the temples of ancient India. It is characterized by extreme lyricism of the upper torso juxtaposed against fast, strong, rhythmic footwork. During British rule, it lost repute, only to be carefully reconstructed in the 20th Century. The performance is sponsored by Ratna Roy, a member of the dance faculty at The Evergreen State College, and disciple of the late guru, Pankaj Charan Das. Roy has been instrumental in faithfully maintaining this ancient style and technique over the years.

For more information, please call Ratna Roy at (360) 867-6469 or e-mail her at royr@evergreen.edu or ratna-david@olywa.net. Please go to http//www.olywa.net/ratna-david for details of the program and photos from the February 2006 performance in Orissa, India

On the web: http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/odissi/home.htm

DATE: Friday, July 14, 2006
SHOWTIME: 8:00 pm
PLACE: Communications Building
ADMISSION: Gen. Adm. $10; Students & Seniors $5
TICKETS: Rainy Day Records, Evergreen Bookstore, BuyOlympia.com or the Box Office 1 hour before curtain
CAMPUS PARKING: $1.25
INFORMATION: (360) 867-6651 or go to http://www.evergreen.edu/expressions