Odissi Classical and
Sacred Temple Dance of India
Gurus
Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
Guruji : (8 th Jan 1926 to 7 th Apr 2004)
Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is a name that is synonymous with Odissi today. He has enriched the Odissi dance style with his aesthetics, creativity, imagination and sophistication. His style of choreography is very distinctive & practically every dancer has been directly or indirectly influenced by his style. Maintaining ancient traditions to the highest standard while simultaneously expanding the art form to even higher realms through brilliant choreography & dedication, Guruji is a true dance visionary.
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Smt. Jhelum Paranjape
Smt. Jhelum Paranjape is one of the select disciples of Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra & is an accomplished dancer & choreographer in her own right. She began her study of Odissi with Guru Sri Shankar Behera & than had the good fortune to study directly from the great Odissi master Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. She has accompanied him to U.S.S.R. for the Festival of India & has given many solo performances in India & abroad. She is the founder-director of Smitalay, Mumbai.
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Pandit Bhubaneshwar Mishra
Mishra Sir (15 th Jul 1927 ~ 7 th May 1993 )
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If Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is the father and Life of modern Odissi, Pandit Bhubaneshwar Mishra can be called the mother and breath of Odissi. He was one of India 's most prolific violinist and composer of Odissi music. He composed music for most of Guruji's item which are all great masterpieces.
Padmashri Sanjukta Panigrahi
Sanju nani :
( 24 th Aug 1944 – 24 th Jun 1997 )
Sanjukta Panigrahi is a name synonymous with modern day Odissi. Remembered as Queen of Odissi dance. With single-minded devotion she started dancing at the age of four under Guruji and devoted her life to Odissi. She has rendered invaluable service to Odissi by taking it to all parts of the world.