Oxford Odissi Centre

The Oxford Odissi Centre is a non-sports society of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. The centre aims to promote and educate about Odissi, one of the oldest Indian classical dances.[1][2][3]

Members of Oxford Odissi Centre giving a performance at Magdalen College, Oxford's Grove Auditorium on May 27, 2016.

Oxford Odissi Centre
Formation2015
HeadquartersOxford, United Kingdom
Location
  • Linton Road, Oxford OX2 6UD.
Region served
Worldwide
Founder
Baisali Mohanty
AffiliationsUniversity of Oxford

Beside holding regular Odissi dance classes for members of University of Oxford, the centre undertakes numerous activities to promote Odissi and other Indian classical dance at the university.[4][5] It also conducts Odissi dance workshops at other leading institutions including University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University College London, King's College London, University of Manchester, and University of Edinburgh.[6]

The centre, in association with the High Commission of India to the United Kingdom, organizes the Oxford Odissi Festival, an annual festival of Indian classical dance at the University of Oxford.[7]

History

The centre was founded in 2015 by Baisali Mohanty, a post-graduate student at University of Oxford and a classical dancer and choreographer. The centre was registered with the Proctor’s Office and officially inducted as a society of the University of Oxford in 2016.[8]

Oxford Odissi Centre presentation at Wolfson College, Oxford’s 50th Anniversary Ball held on 25 June 2016.

Activities

The centre serves as an advance centre for learning Odissi dance at University of Oxford. It holds regular Odissi classes at several colleges of University of Oxford. Modules are offered to both fresher and advanced learners and stretches from one term to six terms.

Noted dance critic Sunil Kothari, noted dancer Ileana Citaristi and the culture secretary of the High Commission of India to the United Kingdom with performers of Oxford Odissi Centre at the closing evening of 2016 Oxford Odissi Festival.

Besides dance instruction, the centre undertakes numerous activities to promote Odissi and other Indian classical dance at the university. Activities include organizing dance events, exhibitions, symposiums, conferences, and talks. The centre also maintains a team of dancers and choreographers to undertake performance on invitation.

It also conducts Odissi workshops and performances at several Russell Group member universities in United Kingdom.[3][9]

Administration

The administration of Oxford Odissi Centre is managed by a 10-member committee elected by the members of the centre and administered in consonance with the regulations for the societies of University of Oxford published periodically in the Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum.

The 10-member committee elected for 2016 includes, among others, eminent economist Professor Matthew McCartney, Director of South Asian Studies, University of Oxford as Senior Member and Baisali Mohanty as President.[8][10]

Membership

Only members of University of Oxford are eligible for membership of Oxford Odissi Centre.

However, the committee may also, at its discretion, admit members of Permanent Private Halls and members of Ruskin College, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, and the Westminster Institute of Oxford Brookes University who are registered for qualifications validated by the University of Oxford.[10]

Oxford Odissi Festival

Oxford Odissi Festival is an annual Indian classical dance festival organised by Oxford Odissi Centre at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Beside exhibiting new and innovative choreographies in Odissi, the festival showcases all forms of Indian classical dance.[7][11]

References
  1. "Oxford Odissi Festival - South Asian Studies". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  2. http://www.citynewsline.co.uk/news/odissi-festival-to-be-held-at-oxford-university-on-may-27%5B%5D
  3. "Oxford stage for Odissi recitals". Archived from the original on 8 May 2016.
  4. "Odishi fest at Oxford Varsity from today".
  5. PrameyaNews7. "PrameyaNews7".
  7. "The Telegraph, India, English News Paper". Archived from the original on 9 August 2016.
  8. "From temple to the Oxford varsity - Sakal Times". Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  9. "Odissi Festival to be held at Oxford University on May 27, Odisha Current News, Odisha Latest Headlines". Archived from the original on 6 May 2016.
  10. "Oxford Odissi Centre - About - Facebook". Facebook.
  11. "Odissi festival gets a rousing reception at Oxford University | OdishaSunTimes.com". Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
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