Pūrva Samīra
A Japanese Tribute to Odissi 東の風
“Odissi dance,
Has completely changed
Our lives”.
In 2023, a group of Japanese Odissi dancers from across the globe began gathering online each month to immerse themselves in the beauty of Indian culture, philosophy, and mythology. As foreigners, we have fallen deeply in love with Odissi, embracing it with humility and respect. Through our shared learning, friendships blossomed, and a quiet dream began to grow – to bring our tribute to Odissi to its homeland. Today, that dream takes form on the stage in Delhi as “Pūrva Samīra －東の風－ A Japanese Tribute to Odissi”. (Kaori Naka)
2023年より、世界各地に暮らす日本人オディッシーダンサーを対象に、インド文化・哲学・神話などの知識を深めることを目的とした月例オンライン勉強会を主催してきました。外国人としてオディッシーダンスへの深い愛情と真摯な姿勢を持ち、オンラインで積み重ねた学びと絆を、今度はインドの地で形にしたい―。 その思いから、今回のデリー公演「Pūrva Samīra －東の風－ A Japanese Tribute to Odissi」が実現しました。（仲香織）
Ayako Sakina
Born in Kyoto. Studied in fine art from the age of 6 and onword. In the late of 1970's met Odissi dance, and flew over to Bhubaneswar,india. Took the first training under the guidance of Smt. Bidyut Chaudhury of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. After returning from Odisha, participate to Smt. Kumkum Lal's class in Tokyo.
As the children growns, began to go to India again, and learned from Guru Kalucharan Mohapatra, Guru Harekrishna Behera, as well as other Odissi exponents. Her current guru is Smt. Kumkum Lal.
Now as the Fukuoka, Japan based Odissi dancer/teacher, presides over "Studio Maa Odissi Indian Dance" and coaching dancers, producing stages, and so.
Sachiko Murakami
Dance as Prayer — Living the Rhythm of Life
Based in Osaka, she is an Odissi dancer known as a passionate performer, a dedicated teacher, and a cultural bridge between Japan and India. For her, dance is more than an art form—it is a prayer, a resonance of the soul, and a way of life.
She studied classical ballet for nine years from childhood, and later explored jazz, modern dance, and Balinese dance, always seeking expressions that touched the depths of the human heart. In 1993, she began her Odissi journey under Saeko Hamada, drawn to the fluid movements and profound spirituality of Odissi—a turning point in her life.
From 1997, she undertook short-term study in the United States, training under Ratna Roy, a preserver of the Mahari tradition. In 1999, she made her Ranga Pravesh (solo debut) in Seattle. From 2000, she trained at the prestigious Orissa Dance Academy in Odisha, India, studying under Rojalin Mohapatra under the guidance of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan. She continues her training to this day.
In 2004, she founded her own dance group, Padminii Kulam, nurturing numerous students and presenting performances and cultural exchange programs in Japan and abroad. In 2015, she established the Odissi Dance Centre (ODC) in Osaka, sharing the beauty of Indian culture and dance with audiences across Japan.
At Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai, she has performed Odissi at the India Pavilion and various stages throughout the venue. She also organized and presented Japan’s first-ever Odissi Dance Festival in her hometown.
For her, Odissi is not merely a dance—it is a journey of the soul and a sacred part of daily life. Each grounded step, each deliberate gaze, becomes a quiet yet powerful prayer that resonates out into the world.
Yukie Satto
Founder of Yukie indian dance company Sampatti. Yukie indian dance company Sampatti was founded in 2008 by Yukie Satto. Yukie started ballet at age 3 and was a national-level rhythmic gymnast. Struck by lightning in her heart upon seeing Odissi in 1998, she began formal training in 2002. In 2008, she joined the renowned SRJAN company in Odisha, India, studying under Guru Ratikant and Guru Sujata Mohapatra. Now based in Japan, she teaches and performs Odissi and Bollywood dance, continuing to share the grace of Indian arts with the world.
2011 INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY PURSKAR2011 UNESCO "AWARD" (BISYAKAPATTNAM, India)
2012 CUTTACK MAHOTSAV “NRITYA SHIROMANI” AWARD
2015 CUTTACK MAHOTSAV “NRITYA SHIROMANI”AWARD DECISION
2018 SRI JAYADEV RASTRIYA SAMAROH & NAVEEN KALAKAR “PADMAVATI INTERNATIONAL AWARD”
2021 UNIVERSAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL “HONORARY DOCTORATE IN THE CATEGORY OF FINE ARTS” AWARD
From Japan, Kaori Naka is a dedicated and dynamic practitioner of the Guru Debaprasad Das parampara of Odissi. For over two decades, she has pursued her sadhana under the guidance of Guru Jyoti Srivastava in Noida and Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda in Odisha, ever in search of the true heart of Odissi.
Specializing in installation and communication art, Kaori has also studied Butoh, Yoga, and expressive art therapy. In addition, Kaori is fascinated by animism and other forms of Asian dance.
Holding a Master degree in Arts & Education, she first trained at Chitrelekha Dance Academy in Canada. Thanks to a generous scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, she was given the opportunity to study fundamental Odissi in Delhi under Guru Kavita Dwibedi. She later moved to Odisha to immerse herself in the Debaprasad Das style under Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda. After years of intensive training, she made Delhi her home, founding “Debadhara Yoga & Odissi” in Japan & Delhi (http://www.debadhara.com) in both Japan and Delhi, envisioned as a space for sadhana, teaching and cultural exchange.
Having performed at both the national and international level (India, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia etc.)
Notable appearances include a sacred offering at the UNESCO world heritage site Gango-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, also she has also graced India’s national television, live on Doordarshan DD morning show (2024)
Haruko Tanaka
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Haruko is an Odissi dancer and writer based in San Francisco, U.S.A.. Obtained a Master's degree of Arts in Religious Studies specializing in the Eastern Philosophy from the University of Colorado. She started her Odissi training with Smt. Asako Takami; and after her passing, with Guru Sri Vishnu Tattva Das. Haruko has also learned from Smt. Kumkum Lal and Smt. Niharika Mohanty. Haruko’s literary works include Memories of India and Odissi Dance: Odissi Dancer Asako Takami (2019), the Japanese translation of The Making of a Guru: KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA His Life and Times, by Ileana Citaristi (2021), and more. Haruko received "Kala Vicarana" award at "Margazhi in San Francisco" from National Ethnic Arts INC. in 2023.