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Bani Ray, an exponent of Odissi, has been delving in dance since the age of six. She studied dance under some of the most revered gurus and has been learning Odissi since 1970, from Shri Hari Krishna Behera, Valmiki Banerjee, Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir, and the Late Guru Shri Nath Raut. Apart from Odissi, Bani has also studied Mohini Attam, Manipuri and various other folk dance forms. Bani has performed extensively throughout India and the United States and has received numerous scholarships, fellowships, and awards for her expertise in the field of dance. As a joint director of Nehru Institute of Odissi Research and Training in Delhi, India, she has organized international seminars, symposiums and training programs for aspiring young dancers. Bani has performed at ISKCON Brooklyn, ISKCON Philadelphia and ISKCON Gita Nagari as well.
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Dhanya dasi was drawn to Odissi because of a deep appreciation and love for Lord Jagannatha and His culture. She is amazed by the transformative nature of this devotional art that allows the dancer to make an offering for the Lord’s pleasure with every gesture, step, movement, and expression. Odissi has become a critical component of her sadhana. She is excited to share this wonderful form with the enthusiastic children of ISKCON Central Jersey.
Dhanya dasi is fortunate to be a disciple of the world-renowned Odissi Dance Guru, Sri Durga Charan Ranbir. He is one of the foremost exponents of this critical aspect of Jagannatha culture in the world and the torch-bearer of the Guru Deva Prasad school of Odissi . In 2005 he received the revered Sangeet Natak Academy Award. He has been kind enough to teach Dhanya dasi over the years in both the United States and at his dance institute in Bhubaneswar , India (Nrutyayan - http://nrutyayan.com/website/home.htm).
Dhanya dasi has also had the wonderful opportunity to study with Bani Ray of NJ. Ms. Ray is one of the senior-most students of Durga Charan Ranbir and an extremely accomplished and graceful exponent of Odissi.
Dhanya dasi has danced in various performances throughout the Tri-State area. In 2005, sponsored by the Indian Councilate she traveled with Bani Ray to Guyana to perform in a festival in Georgetown . In June of 2008 she was asked to join The Trinayan Collective as a guest dancer for their performance of Guna, a show choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir that examined the nature of the 3 gunas.
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