04/09/2026
Sometimes, to understand a dance, you have to return to the land that gave it life.
This past week in Bhubaneswar was exactly that for me — a journey of immersion, discovery and returning to the source.
I came to learn more about Odissi, but found myself learning so much more.
I walked through ancient temples and looked at stone sculptures with new eyes. I listened to music, met teachers, gurus and performers, visited museums, explored crafts and heritage, ate my way through wonderful Odia food, and spent time understanding the people, stories and traditions that continue to keep this art alive.
Slowly, the pieces began to connect.
And somewhere in between, Odissi becomes not just a dance, but a way of understanding Odisha.
It has been a week of conversations, questions, movement, observation, laughter, learning — and many moments of simply being present.
My heartfelt gratitude to National Arts Council Singapore for supporting this journey, and to SṚJAN for welcoming me into this beautiful residential learning experience.
And to my Guru Ratikant Mohapatra — thank you for overseeing it all with such generosity and care, for opening doors to learning and, as always, making sure my plate was never empty — with dance, food and blessings! 🙏🏽
I leave Bhubaneswar with perhaps more questions than answers — but also with a deeper connection to the art form.
Some journeys teach you something new.
Some journeys bring you closer to who you already are.
This one did both.
