Aalekh Foundation, a distinguished non-profit organisation, announces its strategic collaboration with Manasa-Art Without Frontiers, led by the renowned Odissi Dance Guru Sharon Lowen, for the upcoming Omkara Dance Festival and Parivartan Seminar, which will promote Indian classical dances and performance artists from Odisha and Jharkhand.
Scheduled for May 31 and June 1, 2024, at the prestigious India International Centre in New Delhi, the festival promises a unique cultural extravaganza. Under the expert curation of Guru Sharon Lowen, the festival will showcase two exceptional dance troupes hailing from Odisha and Jharkhand, featuring Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardees, never before seen in Delhi.
The festival highlights include mesmerising performances of Seraikella Chhau by ‘Trinetra’ Chhau Dance Centre and Odissi by Guru Kumkum Mohanty and her disciples, along with presentations by Guru Ranjana Gauhar and Guru Sharon Lowen’s Manasa-Art Without Frontiers’ dance troupe.
In addition to the captivating performances, the Parivartan Seminar on June 1 will delve into the theme of Generational Change in Dance, featuring esteemed speakers such as Smt. Kumkum Mohanty, Sunil Dubey, Navtej Johar, and Guru Sharon Lowen as moderator.
Speaking on the collaboration, Dr. Rennie Joyy, Founder of Aalekh Foundation, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Manasa-Art Without Frontiers for this cultural extravaganza. Through our collaboration, we aim to promote the rich heritage of Indian dance and foster artistic exchange and innovation.”
Echoing Guru Sharon Lowen vibrant spirit regarding the upcoming dance festival-cum-seminar, said, “I believe the synergy in collaborating with the Aalekh Foundation and its dynamic founder, Dr. Rennie Joyy, will greatly enhance the scope of Manasa-Art Without Frontiers focus on sharing our intangible cultural heritage while empowering artists. So I urge all the culture enthusiasts to please don’t miss this opportunity to witness the convergence of tradition and innovation at the Omkara Dance Festival and Parivartan Seminar. Admission is free for all attendees.”
About Aalekh Foundation
Aalekh Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to advancing women and youth empowerment, fostering skill development, advocating for climate change awareness, and spearheading water rejuvenation initiatives. Utilising cultural exchange and artistic innovation as vehicles for sustainable progress, the foundation endeavours to safeguard and honour India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage through a range of collaborative endeavours and initiatives.
About Manasa-Art Without Frontier
Since its inauguration in 1995 by Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar, Manasa-Art Without Frontiers has worked to facilitate the intersections between visual & performing arts, traditional and contemporary, to acquaint a younger generation and the general public with the harmonious cultural heritage of India and develop kal-ke-kalakars. Manasa-Art Without Frontiers was founded by Sharon Lowen with Kamalini Dutt and Naresh Kapuria.
