Gathering

At the Dance and Community Research Institute (dNc), gathering is how we bring the field together—artists, scholars, educators, and community members—into spaces of dialogue, exchange, and collaboration. We believe that collective encounters strengthen the fabric of South Asian dance studies, enabling knowledge to circulate, traditions to be shared, and new visions for the future to emerge.

Our signature field-building gatherings include:

Odissi Odyssey Conference

A landmark convening dedicated to exploring the history, practice, pedagogy, and contemporary expressions of Odissi dance. This conference brings together performers, researchers, and cultural leaders from across the globe to celebrate Odissi’s legacy while charting new pathways for its study and practice.

Research Webinars

A dynamic series of virtual forums where scholars and practitioners present new research, engage in dialogue across disciplines, and share resources that strengthen the field of South Asian dance studies. These webinars ensure accessibility, allowing voices from across geographies to connect and contribute to ongoing conversations.

Through Gathering, dNc nurtures a culture of shared inquiry and collaboration. Whether in person or online, our convenings create spaces where South Asian dance can be celebrated, interrogated, and reimagined. We see these gatherings as essential to field-building, ensuring that South Asian dance studies remain vibrant, interconnected, and forward-looking.

Past Conferences