#19 -​ Reela Hota: Odissi Dance, Yoga, Chakras, Self-Realization, Indian Culture

Reela Hota is an eminent Odissi dance performer, yogi, educator and producer. She trained under the 3 doyens of Odissi dance, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Srimati Madhavi Mudgal and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

She has explored the philosophical underpinnings of classical arts in depth. She is credited for adding a new dimension to Odissi Dance – the spiritual aspect. She has explored themes such as the philosophy of yoga and Kundalini, a concept from the ancient tantric texts of India, in her productions.

She has created productions that fuse Odissi with other classical dance forms of India such as Manipuri, Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Chhau. She has collaborated with artists from around the world.

Reela Hota founded the Rays of Wisdom Society, an organization dedicated to highlighting how music, dance and vital therapeutic practices in traditional systems of healing can combine to meet lifestyle challenges of today.