Immerse yourself in an evening of Indian classical dance! Learn about the historical context of the many regional styles of Indian dance, their origins in the temples or the royal courts, the meaning of the hand gestures, facial expressions and movements, and how mythical stories are told through dance and music. Watch dazzling performances in some of the distinct styles.

Ann Arbor based Odissi dancer, Sreyashi Dey, will lead the audiences through this journey through the different parts of India and the unique dance heritage of each, such as Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Sattriya, Kathakali, and more. Classically trained and accomplished dancers will also present exciting dance pieces.

Sreyashi Dey is one of the foremost exponents of Odissi in the US, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Srishti Dances of India, and more recently, Akshara. Sreyashi regularly tours the US and has performed all over the world - in Europe, Asia and India. Her work has been critically acclaimed by well-known critics in leading newspapers and magazines in the US, such as the New York Times, as well as in leading media in India. She has been the recipient of several awards, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and premier foundations in the US.

This event is held in conjunction with Rasa, the innovative India-themed multi-arts festival, produced by Akshara, and held annually in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti in September. It is designed to promote a deeper awareness and appreciation for the effulgent richness and abundance of cultural heritage that stems from India. It is multi-arts and multi-disciplinary, presenting traditional as well as cutting edge work in performing, visual, literary, media/films, and culinary arts, in partnership with prominent Ann Arbor arts organizations.