Kultursommer Wien - Aboli Dhayarkar, Janhavi Dhamankar: Classically Indian

India boasts of 8 classical dance styles. While some styles gained popularity in the Mughal courts, many styles were practiced as temple traditions. All over India, the temple sculptures have captured these moments and poses. Understanding dance as ‘fluid sculpture’, most classical styles borrow from a common pool of mythological stories of gods, goddesses and demons, as well as stories of unconditional, playful yet spiritual love.

Kathak originated and evolved in the northern belt of India. Kathak offers an ethos from the Mughal period, with spinning techniques and intricate footwork. Odissi, practised as a temple tradition for centuries, is now practiced as a stage performance style and showcases lyrical movement highlighting the fluidity of the body. Dance, in the Indian classical context, is seen as an evolution of the dancer as well as the audience from the physical, mental, emotional to ultimately the spiritual realm.

Aboli Dhayarkar:
An Indian classical (Kathak) dancer with decade-long experience and a Masters Degree in Dance from Pune University with a Gold medal.

Janhavi Dhamankar:
Janhavi has been trained in Odissi for over 20 years. She conducts specialised workshops for Odissi, along with Bollywood and folk dance and has given performances in Dubai, Europe and India. She is currently pursuing her artistic research PhD in empathy at the Kunst Uni, Graz.

Tanmayi Dhamankar:
A paediatric ophthalmologist, Tanmayi has always been successful in pursuing her dance as a hobby and now as a second career. Trained in Odissi for over 10 years, she has given many performances in many Indian cities. She teaches Bollywood dance as a fitness technique and also choreographs for Indian weddings.