Blacktown’s Bowman Hall will host an evening of classical rhythm and expression on 23 November, as the Nrityashree Dance Academy presents its first annual Indian Classical Dance Showcase.
From 5.30 pm to 9.00 pm, audiences will experience performances by students of the academy alongside guest artists, with Odissi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathak taking centre stage. The event is expected to draw support from across the community, with the local MP and other dignitaries invited.
Led by Debashree Das, a professionally trained Odissi dancer and founder of Nrityashree, the showcase is designed to create a platform for young artists while introducing classical Indian dance to wider audiences.
“Indian classical dance is where tradition meets timeless beauty,” said Debashree Das, who has guided students in preparation for the performance.
Debashree began her journey in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, training at the Odissi Dance Academy under the late Guru Gangadhar Pradhan. She continues to evolve as an artist under the guidance of Guru Sarita Mishra. Now based in Sydney, she leads the academy with a blend of discipline and empathy.
“I try to help students find their own voice,” she says. “Odissi is discipline, yes, but it is also emotion. There is no point in perfect movement without feeling.”
Her teaching style is rooted in tradition but flexible enough to adapt to a multicultural setting. Many of her students are encountering classical Indian dance for the first time. She believes clear narrative and expressive movement help bridge that gap. “Love, longing, joy, play, these are universal,” she says. “Expression crosses language.”
The evening promises a curated presentation of India’s classical forms, shaped by years of training and cultural depth. While many of the performers are based in Australia, their performances draw directly from traditions that go back generations.
The event will mark a milestone for the academy, which has steadily built a presence in Sydney’s cultural calendar. For the young dancers involved, it is a chance to perform on a formal stage, supported by the community and guided by their teachers.
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