Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary Indian classical dancer, guru, and exponent of Odissi dance, who is credited with the revival and popularizing of this classical dance form in the 20th century. He is the first person to receive the Padma Vibhushan from Odisha.

Known For

Choreography

Known Credits

11

Birthday

08-01-1926

Place of Birth

Raghurajpur, Puri, Odisha

Also Known As

Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary Indian classical dancer, guru, and exponent of Odissi dance, who is credited with the revival and popularizing of this classical dance form in the 20th century. He is the first person to receive the Padma Vibhushan from Odisha.

Choreography

1980

Anurag

 - Choreography
1978

Taapoi

 - Choreography
1974

Kanaklata

 - Choregrapher
1973

Dharitri

 - Choreographer
1967

Bhai Bhauja

 - Choreographer
1967

Arundhati

 - Choreographer
1965

Abhinetri

 - Choreography
1964

Jeevan Sathi

 - Choreography
1964

Amada Bata

 - Choreography
1959

Mahalakshmi Puja

 - Choregrapher
1958

Maa

 - Choreographer
Early Life and History

In his youth, Kelucharan Mohapatra performed Gotipua – a traditional dance form of Odisha where young boys dress up as woman to praise Lord Jagannath. Later in his life he did extensive research on Gotipua and Mahari dance, which lead him to restructure Odissi dance. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a master in Percussion instruments – Mardala and Tabla, which clearly resonates in his dance compositions. He was also skilled in the traditional Pattachitra painting.

Kelucharan Mohapatra along with his wife, Laxmipriya Mohapatra, herself a dancer, and their son Ratikant Mohapatra built Srjan in 1993.

Career in Odia films

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra did choreography in numerous Odia films like Maa (1958), Mahalakshmi Puja (1959), Jeevan Sathi (1964), Manika Jodi (1963), Amada Bata (1964), Arundhati (1967), Dharitri (1972), Ta’poi (1978), Sri Krushna Rasa Leela (1979), Ramayan (1980), Jayadeba (1987).

His wife Laxmipriya Mohapatra, featured in films like Bhai-Bhai (1956), Maa (1958), Amada Bata (1964), Arundhati (1967), Sri Sri Patitapaban (1963), Suryamukhi (1963) as dancer/actress.