Odissi Maestro Mayadhar Raut Passes Away

Bhubaneswar: Renowned Odissi exponent and Padma Shri awardee Mayadhar Raut passed away at the age of 92 at his residence in Delhi on Saturday. Family sources confirmed that he was in good health, had breakfast with his grandchildren, and passed away peacefully due to old age.

Born on July 6, 1933, in Odisha, Raut was a towering figure in Indian classical dance, credited with shaping and refining Odissi into a globally recognized art form. His contributions in the 1950s helped establish Odissi as a classical dance, rooted in Shastra-based principles, earning him the title Father of Odissi Dance.

Raut’s journey began at the age of seven when he trained in Gotipua, the traditional folk precursor to Odissi. In 1944, he became the first to bring Gotipua to the stage. Determined to elevate Odissi’s status, he worked tirelessly to codify, structure, and redefine its movements, ensuring it met the criteria of classical Indian dance.

His efforts led to the establishment of Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack in 1952, the first institution in India to offer formal Odissi training. In 1959, he co-founded the Jayantika Association, a collective of scholars and dancers dedicated to standardizing Odissi’s classical framework, including its unique expressions and Abhinaya.

Raut introduced key innovations such as Sanchari Bhava, Mudra Viniyoga, and Rasa Theory, expanding Odissi’s narrative depth. He was also the first to choreograph Gitagovinda Ashtapadis in Shringara Rasa, immortalizing pieces like Pashyati Dishi Dishi, Priya Charu Shile, and Sakhi.

From 1970 to 1995, he headed the Odissi department at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi. His choreography of Gitagovinda was the inaugural performance at Delhi’s Kamani Auditorium in 1971. Many of today’s leading Odissi dancers, including Ramani Ranjan Jena, Aloka Panikar, and Geeta Mahalik, were his disciples.

For his lifelong dedication to Odissi, Raut received several prestigious awards, including the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award (2003), Upendra Bhanja Samman (2005), and Tagore Akademi Ratna (2011).

Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described Raut’s passing as a monumental loss to the world of Odissi dance. Acknowledging his immense contributions in preserving and promoting Odissi, the Chief Minister emphasized Raut’s role in bringing global recognition to the art form. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul’s peace.