The People Behind Our Story
Meet the extraordinary individuals whose lives and artistry are at the heart of “The Lion Dances” documentary
The Journey of Sam
A celebrated Odissi dancer who bridges tradition and identity
Sam Goraya
Celebrated Odissi Dancer & Protagonist
Sam Goraya stands as a shining beacon in the world of Odissi dance, celebrated for his extraordinary contributions and unwavering dedication to preserving this ancient art form. With a mission to share the soul-stirring beauty of Odissi across the globe, Sam seamlessly blends the timeless values of Indian culture with a modern sensibility, ensuring this exquisite tradition thrives for generations to come.
His journey in Odissi is deeply rooted in tradition, beginning in the late 1960s when he was first introduced to the art form by his mother. This rich heritage ignited his passion, leading him to pursue rigorous training in the mid-1980s under Padmashree Madhavi Mudgal, who refined his understanding and mastery of Odissi’s intricate nuances. His artistic evolution reached new heights in 2014 when he commenced training with Guru Bichitrananda Swain, whose expertise in highlighting the masculine dimension of Odissi has brought a bold and dynamic depth to his repertoire.
“Through dance, I found a language that transcends boundaries—a way to honor my heritage while embracing my true self.”
Artistic Training
Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Contemporary Dance, Koodiyattam Sanskrit Theatre
Academic Background
Four Master’s degrees, double Ph.D. in Mathematics and Oceanography
Dance Companions
Fellow Odissi dancers who have performed alongside Sam
Santosh Ram
Odissi Dancer, Disciple of Guru Bichitrananda Swain
Santosh Ram started learning Odissi at the age of fifteen and is now a disciple of Guru Bichitrananda Swain. As one of the promising dancers at Rudrakshya Foundation, he completed his Masters of Philosophy in Odissi from Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar. His appealing stage personality and strong technical virtuosity have earned him recognition in many prestigious national and international festivals.
Samir Kumar Panigrahi
Established Odissi Dancer, Rudrakshya Foundation
Samir Kumar Panigrahi is an established Odissi dancer gifted with the vision to bring great aesthetics to this art form. As a full-time dancer with Rudrakshya Foundation, he trains with Guru Bichitrananda Swain. Endowed with attractive features, innate musicality, and angasuddha, he believes in the transformative power of dance, achieving an amazing resemblance of an Odishan temple sculpture coming to life.
Guru Bichitrananda Swain
Renowned Odissi Master & Mentor
A pivotal figure in Sam’s artistic journey, Guru Bichitrananda Swain’s expertise in highlighting the masculine dimension of Odissi has brought a bold and dynamic depth to Sam’s repertoire. His guidance since 2014 has been instrumental in Sam’s evolution as a dancer who can express the full spectrum of emotions through this ancient art form.
Family Members
The people who have shaped Sam’s personal journey
Sam’s Father
Former Truck Driver, Pillar of Support
A central figure in Sam’s story of acceptance, his father’s journey from skepticism to understanding represents the transformative power of love and family bonds. His evolution parallels the documentary’s themes of acceptance across cultural and generational divides.
Sam’s Mother
Early Dance Influence
Sam’s initial connection to Odissi came through his mother, who trained under the esteemed Gurus Surendra Jena and Mayadhar Rout in the late 1960s. Her own love for this classical dance form planted the seeds that would later flourish in her son’s remarkable artistic career.
The Filmmakers
The creative team bringing this extraordinary story to life
Iqbal Barkat
Director
With a keen eye for cultural narratives and a passion for stories of identity and transformation, Iqbal brings sensitivity and depth to “The Lion Dances.” His previous work has been recognized for its authentic portrayal of diverse experiences and innovative storytelling techniques.
Vijay Gumber
Director
Bringing both technical expertise and cultural insight to the project, Vijay’s approach to documentary filmmaking emphasizes the human journey at the heart of every story. His collaborative work with Iqbal creates a unique directorial vision that honors both the art of dance and the complexity of personal identity.
About Kundalini
Tantra is a practice (Sadhana) developed to address the immediate lesser or greater goals of the seeker and to ultimately help the seeker gain spiritual enlightenment and Self-realisation. Tantra is a means to expand individual consciousness into universal consciousness.
In tantric meditation, inner bliss can be obtained by arousing latent energy in the body and uniting it with the pure consciousness. In human beings, Shakti, the feminine aspect is called Kundalini. This potential energy is said to rest at the base of the spinal cord.
The object of the Tantric practice of Kundalini yoga is to awaken this cosmic energy and make it ascend through the psychic centers, the chakras, which lie along the axis of the spine as consciousness potentials.