An Untold Saga, an original Odissi dance production by RDM Studio, premiered at the Grand Ritz Theater, blending ancient Indian traditions with contemporary stagecraft for a diverse audience.
On August 2, 2026, the Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido buzzed with energy as RDM Studio presented An Untold Saga, an original Odissi dance production that intertwined ancient Indian traditions, storytelling, and modern stagecraft. This captivating performance aimed to engage a diverse audience in Southern California.
Independently produced by RDM Studio, An Untold Saga marked the studio’s fourth curated production and featured the world premiere of a work crafted by Artistic Director Nilanjana Banerjee and her talented team.
The production holds a profound connection to RDM’s artistic lineage. It was conceived by Banerjee’s lifelong Guru, Mitra Purkayastha, as a tribute to her mentor, Muralidhar Majhi. This connection roots the work in the tradition from which RDM Studio’s Odissi training has evolved.
Directed by Sukalyan Bhattacharya, a mentor at RDM Studio and a master of modern stagecraft, the production explored a compelling concept: What if the temple dancers and the sculpted figures that adorn India’s ancient temples could step out of stone and come alive through dance?
Odissi, characterized by its sculptural poses and lyrical movements, became the medium through which this imaginative world unfolded. The production navigated themes of devotion, mythology, and human experience, aiming to resonate with both seasoned enthusiasts of Indian classical dance and newcomers to Odissi.
Bhattacharya’s theatrical vision seamlessly integrated choreography, lighting, multimedia, narration, music, and stage movement. This approach provided a contemporary frame for the classical vocabulary while maintaining its traditional roots.
Based in Carlsbad and established over a decade ago, RDM Studio brings together individuals from various cultural and professional backgrounds. The studio is grounded in the traditional Guru–Shishya approach to learning, offering its dancers opportunities to experience the discipline and scale of theatrical productions.
The intergenerational spirit of the studio was evident throughout An Untold Saga, as young students, adult dancers, and seasoned performers shared the stage, showcasing a rich tapestry of talent and experience.
For Banerjee, the overarching vision is to present an image of India that reflects its contemporary identity—deeply connected to its heritage while being creative, sophisticated, and ever-evolving. Contemporary stagecraft serves as a bridge, allowing an ancient artistic vocabulary to resonate with audiences beyond its traditional confines.
An Untold Saga ultimately celebrated lineage, artistic inheritance, and the ongoing evolution of a centuries-old tradition—transmitted from Guru to disciple and from one generation of dancers to the next.
RDM Studio is set to return to the Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido for its fifth curated production on Saturday, July 31, 2027, promising another enriching experience for audiences.
According to India Currents, the production exemplifies the studio’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation in the performing arts.