NEW BERLIN -- The Integral Yoga Center of Pennsylvania in New Berlin, will host an evening of Indian Classical Dance in the Odissi tradition beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The evening will feature a performance and lecture demonstration by artist Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya of India. The Odissi dance style, known for its graceful, flowing movements, combines elements of pure dance with dance drama telling stories from the rich mythological traditions of India.

Odissi originated from the eastern state of Orissi in India, and dates back to the 2nd century BC or earlier. Odissi dancers use body movement, hand gestures, and facial expressions to convey specific moods and emotions. Performances flow from graceful statuesque postures into rhythmic footwork and elegant dance sequences. The beauty of the accompanying music is given visual form by the dancer's movements.

Bhattacharya is a performer, teacher and lecturer of Odissi dance and has appeared at many prestigious locations internationally and nationally including Madison Square Garden and The Omega Institute. At age 3 she began training with her mother, Smt. Chitra Devi, and later received rigorous training from the maestros Guru Mayadhar Raut and Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra who are mostly responsible for giving the present shape to this ancient form of classical temple dance.

Bhattacharya has received many honors during her dance career. In 2005 she was bestowed with the title Shree Kshetra Mahari ("Devadasi") from Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the highest awards for Odissi dance in India. She is the founder of Sanchitaa Odissi Dance Foundation in Calcutta, India and in Raleigh, N.C., where training in Odissi is given to upcoming danseuses.