This dance evening honours a famous dancer of Latvian origin Vija Vetra (1923-2026), a Western pioneer of classical Indian dance, a principal in Ram Gopal’s troupe. A classical ballerina by education, she had a strong interest in Indian dance and culture and became one of the first Western dancers to receive the ICCR scholarship to study in India. Vija Vetra kept active until the last months of her life and performed on stage for her 100th anniversary. She passed away in April 2026 at the age of 103. The evening will feature some classical Odissi items performed by Katrina Rute and her students and fellow artists, some choreographies by Katrina Rute and Vija Vetra, as well as a short talk on Vija ji.
Katrina Rute is a versatile Odissi dancer and teacher, also trained in Bharatnatyam and Kathak. She is a disciple of Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Urbi Basu and Poushali Mukherjee and learned from other prominent Odissi exponents. She has also learned from Vija Vetra and collaborated with her. Katrina has been teaching dance for many years, and for the last 10 years she is the resident Odissi teacher in Bhavan, London. She has been performing nationally and internationally.