Sharon Lowen

🪔 About

Sharon Lowen is an American Odissi dancer, teacher, choreographer, and scholar who has significantly contributed to the global understanding and appreciation of Indian classical dance forms. Born in Detroit, United States, she developed an early interest in arts, training in modern dance, Cecchetti ballet, puppetry, mime, and theater. She earned degrees in Humanities, Fine Arts, Asian Studies, and Dance from the University of Michigan. In 1973, Lowen arrived in India as a Fulbright Scholar to pursue deeper studies in Indian classical dance. She initially trained in Manipuri dance under Guru Singhajit Singh and Minati Roy, and later in Mayurbhanj Chhau under Guru Krushna Chandra Naik, and Manipuri Pala Cholam and Maibi Jagoi under Gurus Thangjam Chaoba Singh, Ranjana Maibi, Kumar Maibi, and R.K. Achoubi Sana Singh. Her lifelong commitment to Odissi began in 1975, when she started training under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, who later recognized her as one of his top disciples. Lowen is celebrated for her perfection of style, grace, and superb abhinaya in Odissi, Manipuri, and both Mayurbhanj and Seraikella Chhau. She was a pioneer in Mayurbhanj Chhau, becoming the first woman solo performer of this traditionally all-male form and instrumental in its introduction to the United States and its presentation on Doordarshan's National Broadcasts. She has performed and choreographed extensively for film and television, and presented hundreds of concerts across India, North America, Asia, Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Lowen also played a real-life role in the 1988 Telugu film "Swarna Kamalam," inspiring the heroine to value her Indian dance heritage. As a scholar, she has conducted research and published articles and books on Indian dance traditions, and taught at universities in the US and India. She founded Manasa-Art Without Frontiers, an NGO dedicated to promoting Indian performing arts and fostering cultural exchange through festivals, seminars, and educational outreach. She has mentored numerous students in India and abroad, instilling in them a passion for Indian classical dance. Awards & Honours: Critics' Choice Award (2022), Lalit Arpan Samman (2019), Lifetime Achievement Award (2019), Prabasi Bhasha Samman (2019), Women of the Decade in Arts Leadership Award (2019), PHD Art & Culture Samman (2019), Lifetime Achievement Award, JEWA (2019), Prabasi Odia Samman (2018), Indian Achievers Sammaan (Special Achievers Sammaan) (2018), Award for "Contribution to Odissi Dance" (1991), Acharya Narendra Dev Sarokar Samajic Saman (Prime Minister's Award) (1991), American Institute of Indian Studies Fellowship "Comparative Analysis of Chhau Dance Forms." (1991), Outstanding Young Person of the Year (1988), Parishad Samman (1993).