January 25 - March 21, 2027

Professor:  Sumana Mandala

Tuition: $365 member / $465 non-member

8 Weeks; 2 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

**Optional add-on** College Credits through Oakland University: 2

This course will offer a glimpse of dance in India through interviews with artists who practice traditional performing arts, videos and readings, and in-depth exploration through technique and practice in the codified form of Bharata-Nrityam. Indian dances are becoming more and more visible in our communities around the US, whether at a community’s cultural festival, college campus dance competition, a friend’s classical dance debut, or fanfare on TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance or New Girl. But what are the origins, meanings, and community traditions behind these numerous dance forms? How can we become more aware and conscientious of our gaze and understanding, when we experience them? This course is meant for dance educators who are ready to explore approaches to critical consideration of and generating an interest to pursue further study in dances of India. At the same time, the exploration of Bharata-Nrityam technique will make room for embodiment of these understandings and open new approaches to creative processes in participants’ own dance practices.

Book required:  None

To receive college credit for this course in addition to PDCs, you must register through Oakland University by scheduling an advising session and finalizing your registration through OU before the November 7 deadline.

Questions about this Course?  Email opdi@ndeo.org

I learned about new dance forms, which is what I wanted, however, to learn new ways to possibly approach pedagogy and how to teach the dance form I practice was an added bonus.

I learned also what it really feels like to be a student engaging with something that is out of their comfort zone and how with good teaching, generosity, empathy, great feedback and encouragement, along with a well designed course/lesson plans, it is possible to be brave and gain more knowledge regarding something that one is still a novice in.

I also really valued Professor Sumana Mandala's demeanor and approach. Sumana fully encapsulates somatic and feminist pedagogy approaches which I greatly valued. Sumana was able to enhance my understanding, challenge me, educate me further, bring to many points to ponder further and that was all accomplished so generously with her own knowledge. Sumana is a professor I would enjoy having always and someone I would call my mentor. She has guided me to many new paths and inspired me.

Sumana Sen Mandala is a Bharata-Nrityam artist. She teaches in studio settings as well as higher education. Her research is a continual re-examining of the meaning of tradition in dances of India and its value in her and her students’ contemporary contexts in the US. She focuses on the concept of rasa—deep engagement—to center collective knowledge, the value of every voice, and responsibility and response in any space she enters. In her current projects, Sumana explores the physicality of expressive dance (nritya) in Bharata-Nrityam, to facilitate dialogue around hushed narratives. Her work is supported by various organizations, including the National Dance Education Organization and Arizona Commission on the Arts. Sumana holds an MFA in Dance. She is an ASU Gammage Teaching Artist, trained facilitator in the Critical Response Process and racial justice facilitation, Faculty Associate in the Dance Department at ASU, and Director of Dansense-Nrtyabodha.