The Denison University department of dance will present a classical dance form of India at 7:30 p.m. on Friday (April 6) in the Doane Dance Center. Rohini Dandavate, a world dance faculty member in the department, will be joined by eight students in dancing "Geet Govind," a 12th-century love lyric written by the poet Jaidev. The performance is free and open to the public.

The dance form "Odissi" evolved in the temples of Orissa as a part of the daily rituals. Episodes and verses from Hindu scriptures were sung and danced in praise of the deities and also to set examples of virtuousness, bravery and truth for the community. Hindu temples provided a focus for both the social and spiritual life of the community.

One of the seven classical dance forms of India, the vocabulary of Odissi is defined in "Natya Shastra," a thesis on dance, music and theatre written in the 2nd century B.C. by the sage Bharat Muni. "Geet Govind" describes the union, separation and reunion of Radha and Krishna. Krishna's love for Radha is symbolic of God's unbound love for those who seek refuge in Him according to Dandavate, who is teaching the dance form at Denison this semester.

The students performing are: Aimee Codarmaz, a senior from Indianapolis; Nicole Dunn, a junior from Venetia, Pa.; Kathy Jorck, a first-year student from Columbus, Ind.; Behnaz Khusrokhan, a senior from Mumbai, India; Shiloh Kuhlmann, a sophomore from Harrison; Divya Mirchandani, a senior from Calcutta, India; Ratna Sheth, a sophomore from Bombay, India; and Stephanie Wilder, a sophomore from Loveland.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575