“Odyssey/ Odissi” brings together artists, educators, scholars, and students to explore diasporic Indian arts through community-engaged research and performance. 

The Odyssey/ Odissi concerts are luminous performances celebrating historical, creative, and cultural depth of South Asian diasporic knowledge. Bringing together seasoned performers and emerging artists from across the world, these events embody a dialogue between rhythm and stillness, surrender and imagination—revealing classical precision as well as its contemporary resonance. Through solo, duet, and ensemble works, the concerts weave a tapestry of movement, music, and emotion, offering audiences an immersive experience of spiritual and aesthetic essence.

Tickets for each concert are $8-$18 and can be purchased here.

Concert Schedule

Saturday, May 2, 2026:

2pm: Pliés and Pirouettes

Dedicated to the hundredth centenary of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, this Conference Keynote features Padma Shri and Dr. Ileana Citaristi, among others.

7pm: Spiraling Echoes
This evening concert celebrates dance education and upholds Charlotte's very own Pallavi Madabushi, Priyadarshini Inman, Ashwini Gogate, and Sujatha Manjigani.

Sunday, May 3, 2026:

2pm: Moving Praxis

This afternoon concert features Professor Tamara Williams's Moving Spirits Inc. and celebrates music education in the Indian diaspora.

7pm: Transforming Worlds

The finale features Harvard Divinity School Nagral Fellow Swami Sarvapriyananda, Professor Mark Pizzato and Eddy Souffrant, among others.

Photo by Jeff Cravotta.