Odissi Dance by Rudrakshya Fnd hosted by Christopher Benninger, Ramprasad Akkisetti, CCBA Pune India

Christopher Benninger & Ramprasad Akkisetti of CCBA Designs and India House Art Gallery hosted Odissi on High, an Indian Classical Dance performance at Sunny's World in Pune, India on 19 May featuring dazzling performance of dancers of Sutra Foundation (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and Rudrakshya Foundation (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India). This production explores the evolution of ‘Pallavi’ (a genre in Odissi repertoire) representing the two styles of the pioneer gurus of Odissi, the late Kelucharan Mahapatra and Debaprasad Das. Their approaches have been developed and enhanced by their respective star disciples, Guru Bichitrananda and Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, respectively. Ramli Ibrahim is the conceiver of this production, co-artistically directing the production with Guru Bichitrananda Swain of Rudrakshya.

Christopher Benninger & Ramprasad Akkisetti have been supporting cultural events and various arts for many decades. They patronize dance, music, films, talks, book readings, art works as well lending support to many social causes that greatly affect the quality of communities around them.

Early on in life, Prof. Benninger was exposed to high art, being eductaed in Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in USA. This interest grew further during his days in CEPT, Ahmadabad where he founded the School of Planning. Thereafter he moved to Pune to found the Centre for Design Studies and Activities (CDSA) where a large gathering space was created solely to host musical concerts by maestros of India from the Hindustani Classical field.

Ramprasad grew in New Delhi in the early 80’s around the diplomatic enclave amongst numerous institutions and cultural centres such as Lalit Kala Academy, Sri Rama Kala Kendra and more. This exposure given by his parents who made art, music and dance a very regular part of the family weekends. With such illustrous upbringing, when the idea of India House (the home of CCBA Designs) was concieved, art and culture became very much a part of the design brief. Thus, India House has a large gallery and a courtyard where it hosts many events.

CCBA Designs (formerly known as Christopher Charles Benninger Architects) is a world-renowned award-winning multi-disciplinary design firm providing comprehensive architecture, urban design and master planning services. Apart from just utilitarian goals, at CCBA we seek to bring out the poetry in the place, the lyricism in the built forms, and the vibrancy in the inhabitants’ lives. We endeavour to create environments, ambiences, and milieus that enrich our clients’ lives and make living a meaningful experience.

Dance and architecture, two seemingly distinct forms of human expression, share a profound and intricate relationship that transcends their apparent differences. Both disciplines are rooted in the creative human spirit and have the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and shape our perception of the world around us. When explored together, they offer a unique perspective on the interplay between movement and space, rhythm and form, and the physical and the ephemeral. Architects design spaces that shape our daily experiences, and choreographers create movements that navigate these spaces. Just as architects sculpt physical spaces, dancers sculpt their own space through their movements. The way a dancer moves through space, whether fluid and sinuous or sharp and angular, can alter our perception of the environment. In this sense, dancers are like architects of the moment, shaping and reshaping the space they occupy with each step and gesture.

CCBA Designs is mentored by Master Architect Prof. Christopher Charles Benninger; one of India’s
great modernists! Winning the Indian Institute of Architects Annual Awards for excellence six times, a feat unmatched by any other architect, Prof. Benninger is one of India’s great modernists. Prof. Benninger, with his team of architects under CCBA Designs, has created an array of renowned and award-winning projects both in India and abroad.With his in-depth understanding of the cultural, social dynamics, and natural constraints Prof. Benninger’s designs artfully blend cultures and innovation creating timeless spaces that resonate with authenticity and purpose.
Ramprasad Akkisetti, is a Founder Managing Director of CCBA. He has been in the creative space for the past 25 years, leading the country’s premier architectural firm. He has toured around the world and lectured on Art, Architecture and Life style at several forums. Currently, he divides his time as a painter and a curator at IHA Gallery and as MD of a successful design firm.


Learn more at www.ccba.in