Shastriya: Classical Dance Festival

May 18, 2025, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT

Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

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Shastriya: India’s Classical Dances — Where Time Moves to Rhythm

What if you could watch history unfold—not in a museum or on a screen—but in movement, rhythm, and emotion? That’s the magic of India’s classical dance: it isn’t just a performing art, it’s a living, breathing expression of an ancient civilization that continues to evolve, step by step, to this day.

India’s classical dance tradition stretches back to the earliest days of organized human life on the subcontinent. And while it remains rooted in deep history, it’s far from frozen in time. These dance forms are constantly growing—absorbing influences, innovating with every generation, yet always staying true to their spiritual and artistic core.

At present, there are eight officially recognized classical dance forms: Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Odissi, Mohini Attam, Kuchipudi, and Sattriya.

Each has its own movement vocabulary, music, costume, and energy. And yet, they all flow from the same foundational philosophy laid out over two thousand years ago in an extraordinary Sanskrit text called the Natya Shastra.

Natya Shastra: The Science Behind the Art

Written between the 3rd century BCE and the 5th century CE by a sage named Bharata, the Natya Shastra is a comprehensive guide to drama, dance, and music. But it’s more than a guide—it’s a scientific treatise that details everything from hand gestures (mudras) to stage design, musical scales to emotional expression (rasa).

This is why Indian classical dance is called Shastriya Nritya—‘shastriya’ meaning codified, scientific, and sacred. Studying these dance forms is not just learning to move—it’s learning to communicate with precision, discipline, and depth.

At the upcoming ShastriyaDance Festival, three of these incredible traditions will take center stage: Bharata Natyam, Odissi, and Sattriya.

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Bharata Natyam: The Temple Dance of Tamil Nadu

Bharata Natyam is often referred to as the oldest classical dance of India, with roots that stretch back over 2,000 years. Originally performed in the temples of South India, it was danced by women known as Devadasis as a form of sacred offering and storytelling through movement. Then called Sadir Attam or Dasi Attam, this dance was not just performance—it was devotion in motion.

In the early 20th century, Bharata Natyam was revived and reimagined as a symbol of India’s cultural pride during the freedom movement. Thanks to the work of visionaries like the Tanjore Quartet—four court musicians in the royal courts of Thanjavur—its structure was formalized, blending fast-paced rhythmic sequences (nritta) with emotionally expressive storytelling (nritya).

What makes Bharata Natyam unique is its balance between spiritual intensity and technical brilliance. It’s precise, mathematical, deeply emotive—and completely mesmerizing.

Representing Bharata Natyam is Ramya S. Kapadia, a Knoxville-based multidisciplinary artist whose work blends dance, Carnatic music, Warli art, and children’s literature. Her performances are steeped in tradition and vibrant with expressive storytelling.

Odissi: The Grace of Odisha

Odissi is perhaps the most graceful and lyrical of India’s classical dances. Hailing from the eastern state of Odisha, this art form traces its lineage back to temple dances honoring Lord Jagannath. But Odissi’s recognition as a classical form is relatively recent, thanks to the visionary work of the Jayantika movement in the 1950s.

Gurus like Kelucharan Mohapatra, Mayadhar Raut, and others restructured and re-codified Odissi, crafting a formal system that preserved its ancient roots while making it stage-ready for modern audiences.

With its sculptural poses, fluid torso movements, and intricate footwork, Odissi is often described as dancing poetry. And it’s still evolving. Artists like Kaustavi Sarkar, a scholar and performer with a PhD in Dance Studies, are pushing its boundaries—blending tradition with contemporary thought, and even bringing Odissi into Western academia.

Odissi is more than just a dance—it’s a visual hymn, a story painted in motion.

Renowned Odissi soloist Kaustavi Sarkar brings over two decades of performance and international touring experience to the stage. Her Odissi is powerful, poetic, and rooted in rich cultural narratives.

Sattriya: The Sacred Rhythms of Assam

The newest addition to the classical dance family is Sattriya, formally recognized in the year 2000. But its roots go back to the 15th century, in the monastic communities (called sattras) of Assam. There, saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardevused music, drama, and dance to teach Vaishnav philosophy and devotion.

Sattriya was originally performed by monks as part of daily worship and religious storytelling. The form was passed down orally—memorized, practiced, and preserved not on paper, but through bodies and generations.

It’s only recently that this dance form has emerged from the cloisters and onto national and international stages. Rich in spiritual symbolism, its movements are meditative and expressive, combining elegance with devotion. As a form that bridges sacred ritual with theatrical art, Sattriya offers something truly rare: a glimpse into the soul of a community, shaped by centuries of faith and tradition.

Priyadarshini, a gifted choreographer, performer, and teacher, brings the devotional elegance of Sattriya—the classical dance of Assam. Her work has introduced this sacred tradition to new audiences while preserving its spiritual roots.

A Living Legacy

Thus, Indian classical dance is more than art-it’s a story told through movement, connecting us to history, divinity, and emotion.

As India evolves, these traditions grow, blending old and new through visionary performers—ambassadors of culture who carry this legacy forward.

At the Shastriya Dance Festival, don’t just watch—feel the rhythm, the stories, and the soul of a timeless tradition.

Come, dance with time.

This event is partly funded by the Project Support Grant from NC Arts Council.

Leela Foundation is partly funded by United Arts Council of Wake County, and Town of Cary.