Media Contact:
Ruth Baily at University Events, (619) 534-0497, rbaily@ucsd.edu or
Jan Jennings, (619) 822-1684, jnjennings@ucsd.edu

Odissi Temple Dance of India – featuring the lyrical and graceful Odissi dance by the Patnaik sisters of San Diego – will be presented at 8 p.m. April 16 in Mandeville Auditorium at the University of California, San Diego.

Odissi is one of the seven recognized forms of Indian classical dance. Originating in the eastern Indian state of Orissa and dating back to the second century B.C, it is known for its lyrical nature, grace and fluid movements.  So valued is the grace of the Odissi, the postures of the dance are recorded in relief sculptures of ancient Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples and the caves of Orissa.

In addition to San Diego’s Patnaik sisters, performing Odissi on April 16 will be India’s Aruna Mohany.  The dancers will be accompanied by Indian musicians.

The Patnaik sisters, Laboni, 20, Shibani, 17, and Shalini, 16, have been performing Odissi throughout Southern California and out of state for the past six years.  They represent India at multicultural festivals, conventions, museums, libraries, universities, school assemblies and dance festivals.  They teach Odissi and conduct lectures and demonstrations.

The sisters’ career highlights include performing for a special gathering of Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison, receiving first prize in Dance Mukawala of Southern California in the classical dance category in 1994, being nominated for the 1997 Kohinoor Award in California in the classical art category, and choreographing and dancing in Odissi style as Madonna sang Shanti/Ashangi to open the 1998 MTV Awards ceremony.

The Patnaiks represented India this January in Nations of San Diego, a two week multicultural dance festival sponsored by the San Diego Area Dance Alliance.  In reviewing the festival, the San Diego Union-Tribune dance critic wrote: "The high point of the evening arrived when the Patnaik sister performed Pallavi, a lyrical, meditative dance in the Odissi style."

"Shibani is a distinctly sensual performer," the Union-Tribune reviewer continued, "Shalini seems a statue come to life and Laboni has a light, supple approach to the dance."

Laboni is a junior at UCSD and Shibani and Shalini are students at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad.   They have been training in various forms of classical dance and classical music of India since each was 5.  They visit India in the summers to take advanced Odissi lessons and to reinforce their cultural link.

Aruna Mohany is known for her technical virtuosity and unique skill and versatility in depicting the varied emotions of Odissi dance.  She has performed in the major cities of India, as well as in Europe, Russia and Africa.  Among her honors is an award for her contribution in the field of Odissi dance by Utkal University in Orissa.

The media in West Germany praised Mohany for "revealing the richness and magnificence of Indian dance tradition" and for a style of "rare grace and beauty."

The Times of India wrote: "Aruna, in her portrayal of Naba Rasa was yet another visual assertion of the fact that the solo dance form in Odissi is alive and well."

Tickets for Odissi Temple Dance of India are $15 general admission, $12 for faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $10 for students.  Tickets are available at the UCSD Box Office, 534-8497, and at Ticketmaster outlets at 220-8497.  The performance is sponsored by the UCSD University Events Office.  For information on the entire season of events sponsored by the University Events Office, visit the Web Site: http://ueo.ucsd.edu, or call the UCSD University Events Office at 534-4090.