biography

Nirmal Jena teaches and presents his distinct family lineage of Odissi Indian classical dance and music. Based in studios in Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains and in Sydney city/eastern suburbs, he offers a deep and engaging learning experience to those curious about the world and its creative power. Nirmal and Chitrita are passionate about creativity, diversity, humanity and sustainability. After founding the Odissi Dance Company in Sydney, Australia to promote their unique Odissi Indian classical dance and music, they have established the Arts and Life Education Gurukul Ltd (ALEG), an Australian charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. ALEG’s core program is Odissi: Dance for Humanity, offering free and comprehensive training in Odissi dance and music, as well as life skills, to young people faced with financial hardship. We invite such young people to contact us with their stories - https://www.odissisydney.com/arts--life-education-gurukul-ltd-free-training.html. Odissi dance developed in the eastern Indian State of Odisha, along the Bay of Bengal. Its distinctive technique is based on the chawk (square position) and the tribhanga (triangle/triple bend). These are preserved in the reliefs found in temple architecture throughout Odisha. The Jena style of Odissi dance is known for its authenticity and for powerfully integrating the body, mind and soul in the training process. It boldly challenges social barriers related to gender, age, ethnicity, class and religion. Nirmal's Odissi can be learnt: - as an everyday practice to build resilience - for performance - to teach - to achieve all of the above.

Nirmal has not updated their categories as yet.

Nirmal has not updated their categories as yet.

located

Hazelbrook

last updated

September 22, 2025

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Creative Education - Learn Odissi

Learn Odissi to perform, teach or as daily practice to build resilience and wellbeing

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The City of the Blue Mountains is located within the Ngurra (Country) of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. MTNS MADE recognises that Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and that this is of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region. For Dharug and Gundungurra People, Ngurra takes in everything within the physical, cultural and spiritual landscape – landforms, waters, air, trees, rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, stories and special places. It includes cultural practice, kinship, knowledge, songs, stories and art, as well as spiritual beings, and people: past, present and future. Blue Mountains City Council pays respect to Elders past and present while recognising the strength, capacity and resilience of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Blue Mountains region.

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