Gender:: Female
Country/Countries I have worked in:: Extensive work in India , Rajasthan and many countries
More Details: One of the foremost Kathak exponents of India, Anita Ordia is equally consummate in her mastery over the rhythm, grace, and expressional cogency. Deeply rooted in the colorful traditions of sand dunes, famous for it’s cultural heritage all over the country. She successfully represents and projects the whole of the environment of this princely state in her artistic creations. She is individualistic, contemporary and dynamic who is leaving behind a legacy of believing and living a personal commitment. MS. Ordia has particularly done extensive work in Rajasthan, for generating cultural awareness amongst youngsters especially in rural areas.
Disciple of Padam Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj and late Pt. Durga lal Ji, Her style represents a crystallization of combined techniques acquired from the sophisticated elegance of the Lucknow Gharana and the rhythmic precision of the Jaipur School.
Her academic background has added an extra depth in her artistic work by providing a sharper understanding. She is Graduate in Economics (Honors) and Master of Arts in Sociology. Her body of work includes a fair portion of academic activities as well lecture demonstration at Camden Arts, Common wealth Center London, Indian Culture Society Rowstock, Germany, and Korean University (Seoul) for faculty of Arts and music.
Belonging to a family history steeped in the independence and social movement in the country, their ethos seems to be reflected in her genuine and deep concern for society and the less privileged.
She has done extensive work in rural parts of Rajasthan in the project of “Art in Education” Her personal sensitivities find her working quietly and closely with spastic, mentally and physically handicapped children as also children and people from less fortunate backgrounds.
MS.Anita Ordia has also conducted dance workshops in various cities and towns and villages of India for children. She is the only Kathak dancer who offered her services to UNESCO for generating cultural awareness amongst youngsters. Her immense contribution also gave recognition to the UNESCO Federation. She is already conducted more than 200 workshops. She is a beautiful synthesis of aesthetics, talent, ‘sadhana’, grace, intellect and commitment. As an eminent dancer and personality, she has served on various Committees and Societies relating to the fields of Arts and NGO’s as well as UNESCO, West Zone Cultural Center, Sangeet Natak Academy, Navodya Schools, various Schools in India, Nalanda Dance Research Center Mumbai, and other cultural organizations of India and abroad, trained more than 10,000 students in these workshops.
A staunch believer in the ‘Gurukul-Parampara’, Anita, imparts to her disciples not only details of Kathak but also her own sensitivities and message of love, righteous practices and trust, which makes an artiste humane. Here again she has successfully redefined the Guru-Shishya tradition and related it to the modern society. Her concern for people and humanity, have seen her dancing passionately to various social themes either through new panoramic vistas of interpretations of Kathak’s traditional repertoire or through new choreographies.
Performed all the major Dance festivals of India including Bindadeen Mahotsav, Bhartiya Shashtriya Samahroah Mumbai, Kumbha Sangeet sammelon, Meera Mahotsav Jaipur Festival, Marwar Samahroah, Konark Mahotsav, Calcutta Samahroah, Kala Akademi Goa, Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi samaroah, Music Akademi festival Madras.
She enchanted audience of the Albert Hall, Camden Festival London, Indian festival South Korea and other centers of performing Arts in Japan, Holland, East &West Germany, Belgium, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Middle East, and England.
She is adept at directing Dance Ballets and in presenting folk dances in both traditional and innovative styles. She also believes in trying to add new dimensions without giving up purity of the original / traditional form. Her choreographies reflect a charming blend of philosophical and spiritual essence, so evident in her personality.
Kathak draws upon mythology and poetry for expressive aspects. Anita is thus constantly expanding her expression repertoire: She has worked on Methalisharan Gupta’s JaiShankar Prasad’s, Kabir, Tulsidas, Ghalib, Amir Khusruo, poetic works on Sufi saints, “Natwari Prasang”, “Kanu priya”, Dance ballet “Mere Tuo Girdhar Gopal,“Padharo Mahra Des” Production on folk dances of Rajasthan,“Barah masa” production based on twelve seasons. Ballet “Kesariya Balam” based on Maand singing of Rajasthan. The uniqueness of different combinations is reflected in her presentation of Kathak. Through her dance, she very smoothly, takes the spectators on a journey through the floating, dancing and humming winds over the beautiful and fairy sand dunes of Thar and the glories hills of Aravallies. It is an aesthetic experience to watch her in action on the stage.
Country’s most respectful film director Padam Bhushan Shri Shyam Benegal has featured her in the popular Serial“Bharat Ek Khoj”. She represented Kathak dance in a film “Angic-Bhasha” specially created by Nehru Center of Mumbai .
Seeking to enrich and diversify her talent she added Rajasthani folk music to accomplishment. Her constantly brilliant performance earned for her the awards, Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi award, “Unesco Chetna Award” “Desert Queen”, “Dagar Gharana” Award of Maharana Mewar Foundation. “Nritya Shivali”, Nritya Shree” and HRD Ministry Govt. of India has awarded of a fellowship in the field of Kathak.
Anita Ordia is a classical example of a true Kathak, multi-faceted, successful and dynamic, and presents a challenge to today’s spectator. Her life and her works have made her a role model and peer for millions of girls of the younger generation of today.
