Gudrun Märtins

🪔 About

Gudrun Märtins is a Hamburg-based practitioner and teacher of Odissi, a classical Indian dance form originating from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Her journey into Indian classical dance began in 1992 after she first witnessed an Indian dance performance, having already taught oriental dance for two years. She commenced her Odissi training in Frankfurt with Christine Kreh-Laino in 1992. In 1995, Märtins moved to India to pursue intensive studies in Odissi under the tutelage of master dancer Sangeeta Dash in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. She dedicated six years to this art form, immersing herself in the Guru Shishya System and specializing in the style of Guru Deba Prasad Das. During her time in India, she also began teaching Odissi. She holds a "Master of Arts" degree from the Pracheen Kala Kendra University in Bhubaneswar. Upon her return to Germany in 2002, Gudrun Märtins established the Odissi Tanz Atelier in Hamburg, where she has since led continuous classes. She is recognized as a performer, presenting solo, duet, and group performances both nationally and internationally. Her performances have been noted by critics, with Sangeeta Dash praising her "abundance of stage presence" and Leela Venkataraman of THE HINDU commending her "anga suddha of her Sooryashtakam". Märtins is described as one of the leading Odissi artists in the Western world. Beyond Hamburg, she also teaches Odissi in England and Switzerland.