India, Aug. 16 -- As Sapphire Creations Dance Company turns 34, the popular academy is organising an exclusive movement bootcamp integrating two traditional Indian physical disciplines, Mallakhamb and Mayurbhanj Chhau, from August 17-20 at Jorasanko Thakurbari in Kolkata. Sapphire has always been committed to using dance as a tool of education and empowerment, making 'learning sessions/bootcamps' and 'Choreo Residency' the focus of the curriculum for students, artists and the community in general for upskilling them. "Designed for dancers, physical theatre performers, and movement practitioners, this intensive workshop offers an opportunity to explore the intersection of aerial leverage and grounded kinetic flow," said Sudarshan Chakravorty of Sapphire Creations Dance Company.
Both origin paths stem from historical military training encampments and royal patronage, representing two distinct branches of traditional Indian movement wisdom. The bootcamp focuses on using these techniques to broaden the contemporary dancer's physical capacity, spatial control and body awareness. Participants will engage with Chhau's signature steps focusing on multi-axial spinal rotations, off-centre weight distribution and uninterrupted kinetic movement. The curriculum also utilises pole and rope Mallakhamb to build core engagement, joint stabilisation and calm endurance during extreme physical exertion. The workshops will be led by Padma Shri Uday Deshpande and SNA awardee Pagulu Jena. Deshpande has been a primal force in establishing 'Mallakhamb' in international forums and sports, including the Olympics. Meanwhile, Jena has a campus dedicated to Mayurbhanj Chhau in Odisha and has trained numerous students in Baripada under the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi. He was awarded the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2026.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.