Rekha Tandon

🪔 About

Dr. Rekha Tandon is a well-known Odissi dancer, choreographer, and researcher, recognized as a leading expert in the field. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, she lived in various countries due to her father's work with the Indian Foreign Services, where she was introduced to diverse dance forms including Western ballet, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Kathakali. Her formal Odissi training began at age 15 with Guru Sri Surendranath Jena at Triveni Kala Sangam, followed by intensive training and performances with Guru Smt. Madhavi Mudgal for about eight years. She further honed her understanding of Odissi techniques through eight years of meticulous training with Guru Trinath Maharana, and also attended classes by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, becoming a disciple in his gurukul. Academically, Rekha Tandon holds a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, and a Master of Arts in the History of Art from the National Museum in New Delhi (1990-1994). In 1995, she pursued a PhD in Dance Studies from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, awarded in 2005, with her thesis focusing on Odissi from the perspective of Choreological Studies. In 1997, she co-founded "Danceroutes" with her husband, Michael Weston, a company that has undertaken groundbreaking projects, including the Danceroutes Repertory Group and the KAI (Knowledge-Arts-Initiatives) Trust. She has performed solo at numerous festivals worldwide since 1985. Dr. Tandon is also the author of "Dance as Yoga: The Spirit and Technique of Odissi," published in 2018, which explores the deep connection between Odissi and yoga. She currently works at "Skandavan" near Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India, where she hosts artists for residencies and workshops and teaches Odissi to local students. She has also worked extensively with Gotipua dancers in Odisha, training them in Odissi and developing new choreography. Awards & Honours: Charles Wallace Arts Fellowship, UNESCO Artists' Bursary Award, PhD in Dance Studies (2005).