Odissi doyen Kumkum Mohanty’s special workshop on 'Abhinaya'

Cuttack: Renowned Odissi dancer Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty whose name is synonymous with Odissi expressions is lending her magical touch at a workshop in Cuttack.

Experienced Odissi dancers along with few newcomers are participating in the 10 day workshop where Mohanty is teaching Abhinaya titled ‘Saja Kanja Nayana’.

Apart from techniques of the dance, she is also imparting basic theoretical knowledge to the trainees.

Speaking to odishatv.in, Kumkum Mohanty said, “It is the first time that I am organising a workshop . Apart from Abhinaya, I am trying to ensure that the dancers know various elements of Odissi such as  ‘Laya,’ ‘Taala’ etc.”

Odissi dancers these days are not correlating the practical and the theory parts of the dance form. Dancers are well educated these days so they should be able to explain what they are performing on the stage.

------ Kumkum Mohanty

“I am a big fan of Padma Shri Guru Kumkum Mohanty. She is an expression queen and known for her Abhinaya. I am thrilled to have got this opportunity to learn directly from her,” said a trainee Puspa Panda.

Besides dancers from the State, a dancer from Spain is also part of this workshop.

“It feels great to have come here and having found an opportunity to learn this dance form from Guru Kumkum Mohanty. I am trying to improve my movements by following her and other experienced dancers in this workshop,” said Virgina, an Odissi dancer from Spain.

“I expect that this workshop will be beneficial for the current generation of Odissi dancers and eventually help in growth of this famous classical dance form, Mohanty said