Bhubaneswar: The Odissi dance community came together in Bhubaneswar to celebrate the 99th birth anniversary of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the architect of modern Odissi. A special evening of classical music and dance was organized at Utkal Rangamancha on February 12, 2025, by Sṛjan—Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa (GKCMON) in collaboration with the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCM ORC). The event paid tribute to the maestro, whose contributions have shaped and elevated Odissi into a globally recognized art form.
The tribute commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by eminent personalities, including Manoj Kumar Pattnaik and Dhira Mallick, both renowned theatre personalities; Guru Laxmikant Palit, an eminent music director and composer; Guru Bichitrananda Swain, a celebrated Odissi dancer; Smt. Anuja Tarini Mishra (OAS), Administrative Officer, GKCM ORC; and Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director of Sṛjan and Dean of Faculty of Arts, Communication, and Indic Studies at Sri Sri University, Cuttack.
The evening was divided into two segments—a musical recital followed by a group Odissi dance presentation.
The first segment, “From Raga to Bhava – A Musical Experience with Rupak Kumar Parida”, featured a soulful recital by renowned vocalist Shri Rupak Kumar Parida. Accompanied by Shri Nikunja Bihari Samal on Tabla, Shri Bhabatosh Mohanty on Guitar, Shri M. Shimadri on Flute and Saxophone, and Shri Dipu Dash Mohapatra on Keyboard, Parida’s evocative melodies captivated the audience. With over 60 original compositions to his name, he brought a transformative experience to the gathering, blending melodic precision with deep emotional expression.
The second half of the evening witnessed a group Odissi dance presentation by Guru Pitambar Biswal and his troupe, Suravi. A disciple of Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, Guru Biswal is a distinguished Odissi exponent, having received honors such as the Guru Samman Award and Guru Deba Prasad Das Award. His institution, Suravi, is dedicated to cultural inclusivity and awareness.
The troupe presented “The Spirit of Odissi, The Soul of Tradition,” a tribute to the Odissi parampara. Their performance began with a Krishna Vandana, seeking divine blessings, followed by Balagopalashtakam, a choreographed rendition of baby Krishna’s childhood activities. The dancers—Abhipsa Bhanja, Debasmita Behera, Pallavi Ghose, Ananya Priyadarshini, Sweta Sahu, Mirabala Samantaray, and Kirti Bijaini—delivered a synchronized and heartfelt performance, portraying Krishna’s divine playfulness and beauty.
The performances were further elevated by the expert light designing of Shri Debiprasad Mishra, whose meticulous planning and execution added vibrancy to the stage. The evening was seamlessly anchored by Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath, whose eloquence guided the audience through the commemorative event.
As Sṛjan continues its mission to preserve and propagate Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s rich legacy, the tribute evening stood as a testament to the enduring brilliance and spiritual depth of Odissi. The maestro’s influence remains profound, shaping generations of dancers and keeping the tradition alive with the same sincerity, excellence, and devotion that he cherished.
