Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Eminent Odissi dancer from Singapore, Chitra Shankar, was honoured with the title of Ambassador of Odissi for her contribution to promoting Odissi in Singapore.
Chitra was honoured at the ongoing fifth annual ‘Odissi International’ (an annual global Odissi dance festival) marking the reunion of the global Odissi family here at Utkal Mandap Saturday.
The fifth annual ‘Odissi International’ organised by Samskriti that kick-started December 18 will continue till December 24.
“I’m delighted to be receiving such an honour. It is a matter of pride for me,” said Chitra Shankar on being conferred with the epithet.
“I shifted to Singapore 17 years back but my passion for Odissi was always strong. I then started an institute with only one student that gradually grew in strength and now there are 80 students, almost all of who are Singaporeans,” Chitra Shankar added.
“Chitra Shankar has taken great pains to popularise Odissi in Singapore. Every art lover in Singapore knows her and appreciates her dance,” said festival director Shyamhari Chakra.
The important component of the dance festival is the international Odissi Talent Search that features dancers below 30 years of age. The top ten talents of the world will be invited to perform in the festival next year.
