Renowned Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly brought the grace and rich storytelling traditions of Indian classical dance to one of the most esteemed academic establishments in the world with a special Odissi Dance Workshop at Kellogg College.

The foundations, aesthetics, and expressive subtleties of Odissi, one of India’s oldest and most renowned classical dance forms, were presented to the workshop participants. Students and members of the university community gained a deeper understanding of India’s rich cultural legacy through an engaging and interactive session that explored the dance form’s unique blend of movement, rhythm, sculpture-inspired postures, and storytelling.

The workshop was arranged as part of continuous initiatives to celebrate the variety of international artistic traditions and foster cross-cultural interaction within the University of Oxford’s academic setting.

Dona Ganguly said, “The journey of sharing Odissi continues with great gratitude, from Cambridge last year to Oxford this year. Conducting this workshop at Kellogg College was an honor. Odissi has always been more than just a dance style to me; it’s a living manifestation of India’s cultural legacy, where expression becomes connection, movement becomes language, and rhythm becomes prayer. It is always unique to bring this art form to foreign locations since it enables people from other cultures to experience India through movement, music, and emotion in addition to words. The participants’ enthusiasm was incredibly encouraging, and I am thankful for the chance to carry on this tradition internationally and introduce audiences to the diversity of Indian classical dance”.

Eeshani Bendale, Former President, Kellogg College MCR, University of Oxford & Director of Engagement, The Oxford Union Society, said, “Hosting Mrs. Dona Ganguly Ma’am for a workshop on the Indian classical dance style of Odissi at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, was an honor. All of us students are genuinely inspired by her knowledge, skill, and commitment to her work”.

The workshop gave participants a chance to interact directly with India’s rich artistic legacy while highlighting the growing interest in Indian classical arts around the world. It also provided an important forum for cultural discussion. Odissi continues to transcend geographical boundaries through programs like these, encouraging audiences around the world to appreciate and comprehend Indian culture.

Priyanka Dutta