WE DEY INSIDE
by Shradha (Elsa) Roy Gupta
Pune
Project Description
A 3N/4D cross-cultural dance retreat in India where movement, meaning, and memory guide dancers to discover their identity, embrace shared heritage, & embody Afro dance as a living ancestral history.
Expected Impact
Because today, artistic expression is too often disconnected from its cultural origins, flattened into entertainment or performance. We Dey Inside was born from a need to shift that narrative. It exists to restore depth, integrity, and context to the way we move and create. This retreat is a response to the longing for authenticity. It’s about offering artists a way to reconnect with their roots, reshape their creative language, and find meaning in movement that reflects who they are and where they come from. Bringing in artists who are also prominent educators in and around Africa to the world. Spreading waves of Awareness, leading to enriching experiences, and thereafter, bringing cultural closeness. This work holds space for healing, for remembering, and for reimagining what it means to be an artist in relationship with self, community, and culture as one.
Applicant Background
Over the past seven years, I have worked extensively within the African dance community in London and India, teaching, performing, engaging in battles, and immersing myself in the scene across Europe and within some of the continent's most respected African dance camps. My journey has included collaborations with dance companies, universities, and productions, including engaging in research and development within the theatre world, allowing me to engage with the art form in both academic and performative contexts. These experiences have not only deepened my understanding of African movement practices but also strengthened my ability to facilitate spaces of cultural exchange with intention. This retreat is not a new initiative, but a continuation of work already in motion. We’ve successfully brought this vision to life through two previous editions: the first, a powerful performative event; the second, a 2-night and 3-day immersive villa retreat where we realised our core values of self, community, and culture. Each edition has laid the foundation for a deeper, more impactful offering. My lived experiences within both cultures equip me with the insight, relationships, and responsibility needed to hold this space with authenticity and care, whilst keeping it Intimate, Intense, and Immersive.
Resources Needed
- Funding
- Mentorship
- Visibility
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