‘Odissi’ of Indian dance in Korea

Indian dancer Kavita Dwibedi performs in Korea. (Indian Embassy)

Indian classical dance performances have wowed Korean audiences in Seoul and Busan.

Award-winning performer Kavita Dwibedi executed the classical Indian Odissi dance recitals at Seoul’s Baekam Art Hall and Busan’s Cinema Center Sky Hall last week.

Dwibedi, who is head of the Odissi Academy in New Delhi was brought up in a family of traditional arts practitioners and has performed all over the world. Odissi originated as a temple dance in eastern India where it was performed as an act of religious devotion. It uses gestures, symbolic poses and expressive facial movements to communicate the narrative of the dance.

“For me, dance is the beginning of a spiritual journey. Dance is like a pooja (prayer) and meditation. Dance is like a celebration of life, a gift of God,” Dwibedi said.

Dwibedi’s first Korean tour was part of the continuing celebrations of the “Namaste Korea (Salute to Korea)” ― Festival of India in Korea ― which started last June in Seoul. The performances were organized by the Embassy of India and the Indian Cultural Centre, in collaboration with Indo-Korea Foundation.

The Indian Embassy in Seoul is also recruiting a new interpreter. The successful applicant will be a graduate fluent in English and Korean, with preference given to candidates with relevant work experience in an international environment. The salary would be around 1.8 million won per month, with two months bonus. Applications with a C.V. may be sent to pol.seoul@mea.gov.in by Feb. 20.