I first met the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble when I was assigned by the New York Times to photograph their debut performance In New York in 1996. I was so enchanted by the dancers, and the concept of Nrityagram (www.nrityagram.org) - a village devoted to dance - that I jumped at the late Protima Bedi’s invitation to visit the school in India. Surrounded by beauty at every turn, I was inspired to make a documentary film about the Nrityagram Dance Village and Ensemble. Over the last 14 years I have become a great friend of Nrityagram, photographing many of their New York performances, and putting up dancers on my sofa when hotels overflowed! I've traveled to India three times at my own expense to film life in the dance village, and research archival materials.

My mission is twofold: to capture for posterity the story of the dance village, the dancers, and how they promote and develop the classical Indian Odissi dance form – and to promote awareness of Nrityagram, and assist with fundraising for the school. Dance institutions in India are still very reliant on individuals for financial support, and it is a constant struggle for Lynne Fernandez, Executive Director, to find the funds to maintain the school and to enable the Ensemble to perform abroad. When the Dance Films Association invited me to participate in the 2010 Dance on Camera Festival, I rushed to create a short documentary. "Nrityagram: For the Love of Dance" was very well received when it opened the festival in New York City on January 25th. This positive reception – and the hours of unused footage I have of the exquisite Nrityagram dancers - have strengthened my resolve to produce a feature-length documentary. I am passionate about this project and have invested over $10,000 of my own money to date – but without further monetary support I will be unable to complete the planned 50-60 minute film plus 10 minute 'extra' featuring major sponsors. In his review of the short documentary, Alastair Macaulay of the New York Times says "I wanted the film to be twice as long." It is my hope that with your help, this will happen!

Learn more about the Nrityagram Documentary Project at www.nanmelville.com/nrityagram.

Rewards

Learn more about the Nrityagram Documentary Project at www.nanmelville.com/nrityagram.