Odissi is recognised as one of the eight classical dance forms of India, and celebrated around the world for its lyricism, sensuality and ‘bhakti bhava’ (expression of devotion and surrender). Odissi dancers and writers have claimed that it is the oldest of India's classical dance forms, which was earlier performed in the temples of Odisha

This Friday, we get together to celebrate this dance form through a presentation called ‘Lasya’, that embodies the expression of grace, by none other than Karishma Ahuja

‘Lasya’ refers to the dance innovated and performed by the goddess Parvati, described to be gentle and graceful

Karishma Ahuja is an artiste trained in Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Style of Odissi Dance. She is a graded artiste of Doordarshan. She is presently undergoing advanced training in Odissi under the guidance of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and Guru Rajashree Praharaj. In 2017, Karishma was conferred the award 'Nritya Kanaka Prabha Samman' at the International Indian Classical Dance and Music festival, Bangalore, the 'Kalamani' Award in 2019 by the Hosur Natyanjali Foundation and the ‘Tarang Ratna’ Award for accomplished artists in 2022. In 2021, She was recognized among Top 100 Iconic Artists and Educators of the year by the Rhythms Group, Mumbai.

She freelances as a Performing Artist and Odissi Dance Instructor. She has established the Kadambari School of Odissi Dance, and also a curator of the Festival ‘Kadambari Utsav’ that provides a platform for upcoming artistes. She has performed solo at a few prestigious spaces - Indian Classical Music and Dance Festival (Taiwan), Chidambaram Natyanjali (Chidambaram), Taj Mahotsav (Agra), Mysore Dasara (Mysore Palace), Soorya Dance Festival (Trivandrum), National Classical Dance Festival (Chandigarh) and many more. In 2020, she was invited to be a part of ‘Atal Kavya Kala Narthan’, a National Level Dance Production based on poetries of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which was premiered on Doordarshan (National Television Channel of India).

As a performer, Karishma has been much appreciated for her grace, poise and mesmerizing stage presence. She firmly believes that Dance heals and intends to use it as a medium to touch lives