Workshop 4: Dance Pedagogy
Engaging Young Learners: Playing with Footwork (Shashwati Garai Gosh)
8-9 May, 10-12.30pm GMT/ 11am - 1.30pm BST
About
Footwork in Odishi has numerous intricate and designed patterns. The beauty of footwork is such that it can justify a content or context all by itself. Choosing feet positions, shifting weight, maintaining balance and strength... all that while expressing a style through intricate footwork is a formidable task. My session will be crafted to help budding dancers understand the importance and beauty of footwork in the Odishi dance form. Through the session I will help them understand the intensity, and at the same time, the simplicity of various footwork patterns. This process will also help one gain concentration, patience, strength, mobility, and balance. I will work with intricate footwork series specific to Odishi. This will strengthen the form through discipline, precision, and the rhythm of Odishi.
The Artist
Shashwati Garai Ghosh is a leading odishi dancer of this generation who has made a niche in her field. She is the senior most disciple of internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Sharmila Biswas, her association with her guru since 1999 has made her grow as a dancer she wanted to be in every aspect. Shashwati is the first reciepient of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman, along with other honours, she received the 2016 Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Odissi.In Kolkata, she runs her own Odishi dance institute: Angashuddhi - Home for Odishi. This is her initiative to nurture, and pass on the experience of learning Odishi dance to the next generation, to explore more vistas and encourage and imbibe the roots of odishi to the next generation. Shashwati has performed at the most prestigious festivals and venues in India and abroad. Along with performances Shashwati regularly conducts workshops for schools and institutes around India.