Priya Bangal: Introduction to Odissi Classical Indian Dance

Priya Bangal is a dancer of Odissi, a classical dance from the Eastern Indian state of Odisha. She has performed Odissi at various venues across Massachusetts such as the Boston Center for the Arts, Jose Mateo Ballet Theater, Provincetown Dance Festival, Somerville Theater, Arts at the Armory and the Dance Complex. Her recent work at NACHMO Boston 2022 was described by the Dance Informa magazine as having “an easeful quality” and “beautiful intricacy.” In 2018, Priya was awarded the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, to study Odissi under Master Artist Shipra Mehrotra under whom she continues to train on a regular basis. In January 2023, Priya received support from the Public Art Learning Fund at NEFA for an intensive study of Odissi Dance in Odisha, India. In addition to performance, Priya also conducts introductory Odissi classes, workshops and lecture-demonstrations to share her love for Odissi with a wide audience. With an aim to encourage a holistic cultural environment for Indian arts in Boston, Priya has co-founded Samv?d and Rasik, two organizations that work to nurture our region's growing interest in Indian arts by building informed audiences and trellising relationships between artists of Indian art forms and the larger arts community. Join us in Dance Studio 303 All are welcome! Photo credit: Adam Miller