Dr. Rohini Dandavate

🪔 About

Dr. Rohini Dandavate is a distinguished Odissi dancer, choreographer, educator, and scholar with over six decades of experience in Indian classical dance. Born in Cuttack, Odisha, she received her extensive training at the renowned Kala Vikash Kendra under legendary gurus including Dr. Menaka Thakkar, Guru Raghunath Dutta, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena, and Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Dr. Dandavate holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration from The Ohio State University, blending academic insight with her artistic practice. Her career spans India, Europe, and the United States, where she has been instrumental in fostering cultural understanding through the arts. She develops workshops and curricula for educational institutions and community organizations, promoting cultural diversity through traditional arts. Dr. Dandavate has served as visiting faculty at Kenyon College, Denison University, and Antioch University, focusing on dance pedagogy and choreography. She has also produced multimedia learning resources for Odissi dance instructors and students. A prolific author, her writings on Odissi dance, arts administration, cultural policy, and dance education have appeared in publications such as Nartanam, Angarag, and Ohio Dance Newsletter. She also edited the book "Dancing, Playing and Bonding in Kala Vikash Kendra". Dr. Dandavate is a recipient of prestigious fellowships from the Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Humanities Council, Asian Cultural Council, and India's Department of Culture. Her choreographic works often explore contemporary themes, bridging traditional Odissi with modern sensibilities to engage diverse audiences and address pressing social issues. She continues to perform, publish, and collaborate, exploring new possibilities in Odissi through both creative and academic practice. Awards & Honours: Fellowship, Fellowship, Fellowship, Fellowship.