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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…

Journey Timeline

1973

Arrived in India as a Fulbright Scholar — Began studying Manipuri dance.

1975

Began training in Odissi — Under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

1975

Began training in Mayurbhanj Chhau — Under Guru Krushna Chandra Naik.

1975

Visiting Professor — Taught dance at the University of Michigan.

1976

Odissi and Manipuri performance in Orissa — Presented by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

1978

Introduced Mayurbhanj Chhau to the United States — At the Asian Dance Festival in Hawaii.

1981

Began training in Seraikella Chhau

1988

Featured in the Telugu film "Swarna Kamalam" — Played herself, an American Odissi dancer.

1991

Received Prime Minister's Award "Acharya Narendra Dev Sarokar Samajic Saman"

1993

Received Delhi Administration Parishad Saaman — For Individual Contribution to Indian Arts.

2019

Received Lifetime Achievement Award — From Vylopilli Samskrithi Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.

2022

Received Critics' Choice Award — From World University of Design.

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Video Library

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Signature Performances

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Performance Map

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Awards & Honors

  • 2022 · Critics' Choice Award — World University of Design
  • 2019 · Lalit Arpan Samman — Asawari & The LaLit
  • 2019 · Lifetime Achievement Award — Vylopilli Samskrithi Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram at Sree Yasoda Mahotsav
  • 2019 · Prabasi Bhasha Samman — Odia Intellects, International Mother Language Conclave
  • 2019 · Women of the Decade in Arts Leadership Award — Women Economic Forum
  • 2019 · PHD Art & Culture Samman
  • 2019 · Lifetime Achievement Award, JEWA
  • 2018 · Prabasi Odia Samman — Odisha Forum, New Delhi
  • 2018 · Indian Achievers Sammaan (Special Achievers Sammaan) — NRI Achievers
  • 1991 · Award for "Contribution to Odissi Dance" — NUPUR Dance and Music Institution, Bhubaneswar
  • 1991 · Acharya Narendra Dev Sarokar Samajic Saman (Prime Minister's Award) — Government of India
  • 1991 · American Institute of Indian Studies Fellowship "Comparative Analysis of Chhau Dance Forms." — American Institute of Indian Studies
  • 1988 · Outstanding Young Person of the Year — Hyderabad Jaycees
  • 1993 · Parishad Samman — Delhi Administration Parishad

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