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raks kheperu

a movement immersive
delicate . primal . evocative

Raks Kheperu

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Raks is Dance .. Khepera is Creation

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ZaRa a graceful international performer, teacher, visionary

- restoring ancient Women's Dance 

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If you are chosen to the Path of Majestic flows, perceptive winding patterns guided by wisdoms

then the vibrational geometries of Dance will find you.

  

Collaborating with musical inspirations from

North Africa & Indian Temple Dance

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 ​This intimate offering is evocative, hypnotic and will take you on a journey of music and movement

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ZaRa is available for artistic projects,

performance collaborations, festivals,

retreats and workshop bookings

RAKS KHEPERU MASTERCLASS WITH ZARTJI

Embrace the Spirit of Khepri

 

Raks Kheperu

 

Infused with the spiritual theme of Khepri, the Egyptian diety of creation, renewal, and eternal life, this dance intensive invites you to embark on a journey of transformation and discovery.

 

 Masterclass with ZARA - Workshop Overview

 

Experience the connection between music and motion, much like Khepri's journey across the sky.

 

Part I: The Essence of Raks Dance

History and Cultural Significance: Discover the roots of Raks dance, tracing its journey of ancient Egypt & vibrant cultural exchanges with north Indian dance. Embrace the symbolism of Khepri, the rising sun god, as you learn about the cycles of creation and renewal.

Core Techniques: Refine your placement of foot patterns, correct walking & weight transitions, coordination of expressive eye and hand hand movements, feminine bellydance hip isolations, shimmies, and undulations. Learn the fundamental movements that are the backbone of both Raks Baladi & Sharki, embodying the spirit of rebirth and transformation.

 

Part II:The Essence of Indian Odissi Temple Dance

History and Cultural Significance: The dance form of Odissi is one of the worlds oldest dances and the oldest surviving devotional temple dances of India and we will explore it through Devi infused movement

Core Techniques: Learn graceful lines and the poses of the Devi - the goddess. Apply synchronised expressive eye and hand mudras that tell story and evoke emotion. Dance a devotional artpiece/pranam that fuses traditional temple dance , with slow sensual, serpentine undulations of bellydance

 

This INTENSIVE MASTERCLASS guided by ZaRa - a visionary, professional dance artist, devadasi yogini 

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INTERMEDIATE DANCERS - Enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of traditional techniques in raks and ancient temple dance Refine your technique, explore ageless feminine movement, and gain emotive insights.

BEGINNERS -Develop a confident, strong foundation of clear technique, foot placement, balance and coordination, aswell as emotional feeling.

UPCOMING INTENSIVES

image credits - Stay Nice Music, Facet Creative,Ismeen El Ashiry, NEXT SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY

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RAKS KHEPERU
ODISSI

DANCE COMMUNITY

Cairns & Kuranda

Raks Kheperu - Odissi Dance – A Sacred Journey into Temple Dance

**Location: Cairns & Kuranda**

*An intimate dance community honoring the ancient art of ODISSI and RAKS dance.

 

Step into the timeless grace of Classical Odissi, one of India’s most sacred temple dance forms. Born from devotion, refined through centuries, and passed down through the revered lineages of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Deba Prasad Das, and Guru Pankaj Charan Das

 

CLASSICAL ODISSI DANCE is an offering of movement—where the body becomes poetry, the eyes whisper stories, and the feet awaken the rhythms of the earth.

 

This is not just a dance class; it is an immersive experience into the profound beauty of ODISSI’s heritage and evolution.

 

What You Will Learn

✨Mudras (hand gestures)

The sacred language of the devotion, each gesture carrying meaning and energy.

✨Drishti (eye expressions)

The soul of Odissi—where every glance speaks volumes.

✨Body conditioning & temple postures

Strength, flexibility, and sculpted grace.

✨Rhythmic footwork

The heartbeat of the dance, guided by ancient tala cycles.

✨Classical repertoire

Discover the choreography of temple dances, infused with devotion and storytelling.

✨Rasa (essence of emotion)

Beyond movement—this is where you taste the **sweet nectar** of Odissi’s spirit.

 

RAKS DANCE references the serpentine undulating hip movements, rolling spinal undulations, belly flickers, hip shimmies, head tosses and dramatic spins of folk dances from Northern Africa to the Arabian peninsulas and across desert trade routes to North India.

 

RAKS DANCE is the rhythm of the soul, a mesmerizing fusion of ancient grace and untamed expression. With each fluid movement, the body becomes poetry, tracing the curves of melody and drum, awakening strength, sensuality, and joy. Step into the dance, feel the music pulse through your veins, and surrender to the timeless magic of Raks.

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