Tara Michael

🪔 About

Tara Michaël, born Brigitte Pagès in Marseille in 1942, is a distinguished French Indianist, Sanskrit scholar, and author renowned for her deep scholarly engagement and practical experience in Indian classical dance. Her extensive academic and spiritual journey led her to India, where she lived in Poona from 1968 to 1970 and Madras from 1972 to 1980, followed by another significant period in Pondicherry from 2000 to 2007. Michaël's academic credentials include a doctorate in Indian Studies from the Sorbonne, awarded in 1978, and diplomas from the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Religious Sciences section) and in Hindi from INALCO. She served as an honorary researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.) from 1980 until her retirement in 2007, contributing significantly to the field of Oriental civilizations. Her practical immersion in Indian classical dance began with Bharatanatyam, but she subsequently dedicated herself to the Odissi style. She received rigorous training in Odissi from highly respected gurus, including Ramani Ranjan Jena, a principal disciple of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, and later Anil Kumar Lenka. A crucial figure in her artistic and cultural education was Shri Y.G. Doraisami in Madras, a prominent patron of the arts, who provided her with profound insights into various Indian dance styles, Carnatic music, iconography, and sculpture. Tara Michaël also presented public Odissi recitals under the stage name Tara Devi. Beyond her performances and personal practice, Michaël is a prolific and respected author. She has written numerous influential books exploring diverse facets of Indian tradition, encompassing yoga, Shaivism, and the intricate world of Indian dances. Notable publications include "Danses sacrées de l'Inde" (1985), "Aspects du yoga" (1986), "La Légende immémoriale du Dieu Shiva, Le Shiva-purâna" (1991), and "Le Yoga de l'Éveil dans la tradition hindoue" (1992). Currently, Tara Michaël resides in Arles, France, where she continues to share her extensive knowledge and experience of Hindu tradition through lecture series. Her work stands as a testament to her dedication to both the scholarly understanding and the living tradition of Indian classical arts.