Famed Indian dancer Uma Dogra to perform at University of Florida

August 31, 2006

GAINESVILLE — In an effort to showcase Hindu culture in the Gainesville community, UF’s Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra) has invited renowned Indian dancer Uma Dogra to perform at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 in P.K. Yonge Auditorium. Admission is $20 for individuals, $50 for families and free for students with identification.

“CHiTra is very happy to sponsor Uma Dogra’s dance in Gainesville,” said Vasudha Narayanan, director of CHiTra and a distinguished professor of religion. “She is one of the best known exponents of the Kathak style of dance in India and we are delighted that we can host a dancer of her caliber at the University of Florida.”

Kathak dance dates back to the temples and royal courts of 15th century India and Dogra is known for her ability to maintain Kathak tradition in the ever-changing modern environment. Famous for her rhythmic footwork and swift pace, she mesmerizes audiences with captivating movements.

Dogra began dance lessons at the age of 7 in the Lucknow school of Kathak in New Delhi. Her desire to infuse her interests in art and narrative tradition led to an apprenticeship under notable Kathak dancers Pandit Birju Maharaj and Pandit Durgalal. Today, Dogra oversees her own Kathak school in Mumbai. She has traveled to Kenya, Zambia, Australia, the former Soviet Union, Korea, Holland and the United Kingdom to share the tradition with the world.

In addition to her Sept. 9 performance, Dogra will offer a free dance workshop for all interested UF students on Sept. 7 and 8. To register, students should contact Narayanan.

ChiTra was established in 2005 as the first center of its kind in the U.S. and has active collaborations with the world’s only other Hindu studies center, Oxford University’s Centre for Hindu Studies. The acronym “CHiTra” is the Sanskrit word for “beautiful work of art” and the center exists to encourage the academic study, research and teaching of diverse Hindu traditions through lectures, dance and musical performances. For more information, visit http://www.clas.ufl.edu/chitra/.