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Classical dance brings an Indian summer to the Festival

When Surupa Sen talks about her dance, about the discipline that informs every nuance of the Indian classical style Odissi, her conversation is totally animated with references to transcendence, spirituality and one-ness with a higher purpose.

Her voice, like her dancing, has a vibrancy and warmth that tells you this is no studied lip service.

And when she says, “To me, dance is an expression of my love of life,” the proof of those words lies not only onstage, in her bravura performance; it shines out in the nurturing responsibility she has towards the Nrityagram community (near Bangalore) where she is based and which is home to the dance ensemble that will be part of this year’s Eastern influenced Edinburgh International Festival programme.