Devadasi Mandira
Where every word is a song; and every step a dance.
Devadasi Dance Mandira
Devadasi Dance Mandira's mission is to preserve and sharing the sacred tradition of Odissi, a devotional art form that began as an offering in the temples of Lord Jagannath in Puri.
Odissi is a dance form dedicated to Lord Jagannatha, The Lord of the Universe. Therefore, at Devadasi Mandira, we believe that no matter what background one come from, age, man or woman, this sacred dance is for everyone. There are no prerequisites to appreciate or learn this devotional offering.
Lila-Svarupini, is a student of Smt. Sujata Mohapatra in the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra lineage. Her personal journey - from healing through Odissi dance to becoming a performer and teacher, reflects the heart of her teaching: using movement, music, and creative expression to support each student to reconnect with oneself, and move deeper.
"Odissi is a classical, devotional dance form where you get Bhakti Bhava"
-Srimati Sujata Mohapatra
Director
Lila-Svarupini
Lila-Svarupini, mother of four, Odissi dancer, performer and teacher whose life has been deeply transformed through the healing power of dance deeply transformed through the healing power of dance. Her journey with Odissi became a path of embodiment, devotion, expression, and reconnection with herself.
As a disciple of Guru Sujata Mohapatra in the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra lineage, Lila-Svarupini is dedicated to preserving and sharing the grace, depth, and devotional heritage of Odissi. Through Devadasi Dance Mandira, she shares with her students the same gift of devotional offerings that helped heal and transform her life.
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Odissi Dance Classes with Lila-Svarupini
Embodied Prayer
Our Mission
At the heart of Devadasi Dance Mandira is the belief that Odissi is more than dance, it is holistic education embodying healing, and devotion in motion. Our mission is to provide students with a structured and authentic training in the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra tradition of Odissi, while also supporting their personal growth, confidence, and well-being.
Through coordinated movement, emotional expression, and storytelling, students are guided to connect to their Sacred Bodies and experience dance as both discipline and prayer. Each class aims to improve artistic skill, focus, resilience, and joy, preparing students for both the stage and life.
Program Overview
Following in the lineage of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, through careful guidance of guru Srimati Sujata Mohapatra, Lila's classes are structured to support both artistic training and holistic education for children and adults.
Curriculum Outline
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Foundations of Odissi
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Basic stance (chowka and tribhangi)
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Posture, alignment, safe connection to the Sacred Body
- Introduction to tala (rhythm cycles) with clapping and recitation
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Odissi hand gestures (mudras) and foot positions
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Abhinaya (facial & emotional expressions)
- Mangalacharan
- Battu
- Pallavi
- Gita Govinda
- Moksha
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Who can participate
All levels are welcome. Whether you are beginning your Odissi journey for the first time we welcome you to join us in learning this sacred form of dance.
Class Options
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Little Devadasi's (Ages 5–12) – Foundational movement, emotional expression, and cultural storytelling
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Teens (agges 13 & up)– Structured training with focus on basic steppings, form and performance prep
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Adults (All Levels) – Holistic approach combining fitness, expression, and healing
Weekly Group Classses
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Little Devadasi's ages 5-12 Wednesday's and Friday's 10am-1:30pm
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Level 1- Monday evenings 5-6:30pm
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Level 2- Sunday 11-12:30pm
- Level 3- Sunday 9:30-11am
Tuition
Little Devadasi's: 1 class per week $185 per month; 2 classes per week $370 per month
Levels 1-3: 13yrs and up- 1.5 hr class $95 per month or $25 per class.
What Students receive
Students of Devadasi Mandira recieve more than just dance instruction. All students are welcomed into a sacred spae where Odissi becomes a path of discipline, healing, beauty, and inner refinement.
Through foundational technique and devotional mood, each student is guided to connect with their Sacred Body, steady the mind, awaken inner confidence and connect with the deeper spiritual essence behind Indian Classical dance.
Each year, Devadasi Dance Mandira hosts a Summer Intensive Workshop where all students gather for immersive training under the direct guidance of Guru Sujata Mohapatra.
This annual tradition allows dancers to deepen their practice in both nritta (pure dance) and abhinaya (expressional dance), while experiencing the transformative power of learning in from the Queen of Odissi herself, Srimati Sujata Mohapatra.
For students, it is a profound experience to study under her personal guidance here in US, and feel the living transmission of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra lineage that deepens both their artistry and devotion in the presence of one of Odissi’s most revered masters.
Devadasi Mandira
Where every word is a song; and every step a dance.
