McEachern Auditorium

2700 24th Ave E

Seattle

October 14, 2007, Sunday 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Buy Tickets online: $10.00 Members, $25.00 Non-members, FREE for Children 7 & Under

SREYASHI DEY

Sreyashi Dey is one of the foremost exponents of the Odissi style of Indian classical dance. A disciple of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, the Founder-Director of the Orissa Dance Academy in Bhubaneswar, she was initiated into Odissi by one of the original founding gurus of Odissi, Guru Mayadhar Raut in New Delhi. In addition, Sreyashi also trained extensively in the Bharatanatyam style. She tours the US every year with performances that are critically acclaimed. She continues perform annually in India at premier venues such as the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, India International Centre in Delhi, Spandan in Calcutta, Uday Shankar Dance Festival in Calcutta, and in other cities. 

Sreyashi is the Founder, President and Artistic Director of Srishti Dance of India, a dance company specializing in the performance and preservation Indian classical dance. Through Srishti and as a soloist, Sreyashi is constantly expanding her creative horizons with new choreographies and collaborations with artists across genres. While remaining rooted in the classical dance techniques and performances of pure classical Odissi, Sreyashi continuously creates innovative new works that push the boundaries of performing arts. Her own dance has been noted for its grace, beauty and expressive power. 

Sreyashi's work has been critically acclaimed in leading publications both in the US and India. She has been the recipient of several awards (notably the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts award) and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous other private foundations at the state and national level. She has played a significant role in bringing Indian classical dance to the mainstream in the US, while continuing to maintain high standards of excellence. Her work as a cultural leader has been recognized through several honors.

ISHIKA and KRITIKA

Ishika and Kritika Rajan have been training in the Odissi style since their early childhood. They study with their mother, well known Odissi dancer Sreyashi Dey, as well as other gurus and teachers in India, such as Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and Pabitra Kumar Pradhan of the Orissa Dance Academy. Ishika and her twin sister Kritika have performed widely during season performances of Srishti at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Kelly Strayhorn Performing Arts Center, Chatham College, Detroit Center for the Arts, etc. They have won acclaim for their performances which are marked by perfection in technique as well as grace. They are both deeply interested in Indian performing arts and also study music on the flute. They are 9th grade students.