Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar is a dancer and choreographer who brought Indian
dance to international attention. Born in Udaipur and trained in art in Bombay
and London, he began formal art training in Bombay in 1917 and two years
later studied at the Royal College of Art in London.
During the 1920's he danced with the ballerina Anna Pavlov.
He first danced in 1924 in theatrical works produced with his father in London.
Soon after, he created two ballets based on Hindu themes for the Russian
ballerina Anna Pavlov based on Hindu Wedding and duet Radha and Krishna for
inclusion in her program Oriental Impressions. In 1929 he formed his own company
and toured India and the West until 1938.
Returning to India, he opened a school for Indian dance,
music, and drama he founded the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre in Almora,
Uttar Pradesh (The school for dance, drama, and music closed during World War II
but reopened in 1965 in Calcutta.) He toured occasionally until the 1960s.
Shankar together with his brother Ravi Shankar created a new dance style imbued
with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance; he also drew on
Western theatrical techniques. Although adherents of traditional Indian dance
criticized Shankar's work, his supporters included such eminent Indians as the
poet Rabindranath Tagore.
The Year 2000 marks the Centenary Celebration of Uday
Shankar, born on December 8, 1900 in Udaipur, India. From early childhood, he
was exposed to the wonder of wealth, education, exploration, creativity and
self-determination.
