SAM GORAYA
Sam Goraya started his initial Odissi training in 1968 at the tender age of five with his mother Kirpal Kaur Goraya. Sam learnt the basic framework of Odissi from her who was trained under Guru Surinder Jena and Guru Mayadhar Raut during its revival period.
In 1986 Sam started his advance Odissi training with Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal at Gandharv Mahavidalaya in New Delhi India. He acquired thorough understanding and a new prospective on Odissi through Madhavi's structured and methodical approach. She encouraged Sam throughout his tenure at Gandharv Mahavidalaya and continues to do so.
Since 2014 Sam has trained under the guidance of Guru Bichitrananda Swain at Rudrakshya Foundation of Odissi dance in Odisha India. Bichitrananda’s focus is on Purush Ang to achieve the correct poses, grace, power and strength. His rigours training and discipline has forced Sam to reach his full potential. He encourages Sam to develop advance understanding of Odissi technique.
Sam is a dancer and curator with a long history in Indian Classical Dance Odissi, his other qualifications include Bharatnatayam and contemporary art forms. Having worked as a resident artist with the government funded Melbourne based "Bharatam Dance Company" directed by Dr Chandrabhanu for 11 years, displaying his personal and performance strengths expressing through these dance techniques.
Sam extensively studied key aspects of Koodiyattam Sanskrit Theatre, an art form that has been recognised by UNESCO and gained valuable understanding of Navarasa under the guidance of eminent Guru Venu G in Kerala.
Sam places significant emphases on collaboration among scholars, dancers, choreographers, painters and musicians from Australia, Asia and South America. He is a leader in communities' cross-cultural exchange having worked with various community-based projects including promoting multiculturalism, underprivileged children and artists of India that often unfortunately go without life's basic essentials.
Apart from his four Masters degrees he gained his Ph.D. in the field of Mathematics and Oceanography.