(Photo by Kiron Pasricha)

Initiated into classical Indian dance education at the age of four, Mala continues to perfect the art of Odissi.   She earned her Diploma from The Guru Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, and has performed professionally in India and the USA for over 25 years. Most recently, Mala performed for "Deeksha 2008" and "Nritya Parichaya" in October 2009 at the India International Center in New Delhi, followed by a presentation of Abhisarika Nayika for "Mangala" in November 2009 in Nassau County. She was privileged to perform for "Yaatra," an International Festival celebrating Padmashri Guru Mayadhar Raut's 80th birthday in July 2010 in New Delhi, at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Center.

Mala regularly collaborates with professional artists in the region to create new productions, such as "Gurutattva," a series that explores the classicism of Indian dance.

Mala wants to educate students about Odissi -- a classical art form to promote, perpetuate and develop an understanding of and appreciation for Dance, a universal language. A teacher of Odissi dance since 1995, Mala's classes are for all age groups, with her teachings based on the Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance syllabus. Mala regularly provides opportunities for all students to participate in performances and productions, does original collaborative choreography with her students, and creates NEW works in classical and semi-classical dance techniques. Her teaching is focused on maintaining proper Odissi technique, incorporating dance and movement exercises based in yoga. Mala strictly adheres to the tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara, which is committed to carrying forward the Mayadhar Raut stlye of Odissi. She is a senior disciple of and blessed by Padmashri Guru Mayadhar Raut to be the founder of and Artistic Director of Mala's School of Odissi Dance, the first registered school of Odissi in Nassau County, NY.

Please check out: https://sites.google.com/site/malasodissi/

For more information and to schedule an event

Please call: (516) 773- 2894

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.