ADVERTISEMENTs
University of Hawai‘i professor directs Indian dance showcase
Kahānī, an Indian dance showcase blended classical and modern styles.
-
Bhavana P - Sat, 03, May 2025
- 12:25 EDT
- 130
Kahānī dance showcase / University of Hawaii
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s professor Sai Bhatawadekar directed and produced an Indian dance showcase, Kahānī.
The performance, staged at the Doris Duke Theater on April 26, captivated a packed audience with its fusion of traditional and modern Indian dance forms.
Also read: North GA Indian Dance Festival showcases culture and community
Kahānī, which translates to "story" in Hindi, featured 14 different stories told through dance, music, and acting. The performances explored a range of themes—love, longing, devotion, joy, and everyday emotions—drawing from ancient myths and contemporary experiences.
Bhatawadekar, who teaches in multiple UH Mānoa departments, including Indo-Pacific languages and literatures, theatre and dance, and Asian studies, brought together a team of 40 performers and crew members. The majority of them were UH faculty, students, and guest artists.
“My intention was to bring various artists, students, and faculty together with the community and present the incredible variety of dance forms that have been and have become an integral part of Indian and South Asian culture, from classical to popular art, from ancient traditions to global flows,” said Bhatawadekar.
The evening featured a wide range of dance performances, including classical Bharatanatyam and Kathak, lively folk dances from Maharashtra, high-energy Bollywood numbers, and contemporary hip hop. The music ranged from traditional Indian ragas to modern beats, creating a blend of old and new.
“I am profoundly grateful to the performers; it was an inspiring, joyous, and enriching experience to choreograph and dance with all of them, and to create the show as a whole,” said Bhatawadekar.
A nationally recognized choreographer, Bhatawadekar received praise in 2022 when she represented UH Mānoa at the American College Dance Association, where her choreography was selected from a nationwide pool.
Related
.JPG)
.jpeg)
.JPG)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login