Sujata Mohapatra
Encyclopedia
Sujata Mohapatra is an eminent Indian classical dancer and teacher of Odissi
dancing style.
in 1968.
She started learning Odissi dance at an early age from Guru Sudhakar Sahu.
She came to Bhubaneshwa, Orissa
in 1987 to further her training under Padma Vibhushan
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar. She married Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra's son Ratikant Mohapatra. Her daughter Preetisha Mohapatra is also an Odissi dancer.
Sujata Mohapatra is also actively involved in teaching Odissi. Presently, she holds the designation as the Principal of 'Srjan' (Odissi Nrityabhasa), a prime Odissi dance institution founded by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Sujata has obtained a Masters Degree in Oriya Literature from Utkal University and has also done research work at the Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar.
She has performs in India as well as all over the world as a soloist and a leading member of the Srjan Dance Troupe, founded by her father-in-law.
She opened an Odissi institute, Guru Keerti Srjan, in her hometown Balasore in July 2011.
Odissi
Odissi, also spelled Orissi , is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Orissa, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classic treatise of Indian dance, Natya Shastra, refers to it as...
dancing style.
Early life and background
Sujata Mohapatra was born in BalasoreBalasore
Balasore is a strategically located city in the state of Orissa, about north of the state capital Bhubaneswar, in eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balasore district. It is best known for Chandipur beach. It is also the site of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense...
in 1968.
She started learning Odissi dance at an early age from Guru Sudhakar Sahu.
She came to Bhubaneshwa, Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
in 1987 to further her training under Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar. She married Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra's son Ratikant Mohapatra. Her daughter Preetisha Mohapatra is also an Odissi dancer.
Career
Sujata started dancing Odissi classical and folk dance with Sudhakar Sahu's dance troupe in programs across Orissa. Under the tutelage of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, her dance style evolved and she was groomed to become one of the foremost Odissi dancers of her generation.Sujata Mohapatra is also actively involved in teaching Odissi. Presently, she holds the designation as the Principal of 'Srjan' (Odissi Nrityabhasa), a prime Odissi dance institution founded by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Sujata has obtained a Masters Degree in Oriya Literature from Utkal University and has also done research work at the Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar.
She has performs in India as well as all over the world as a soloist and a leading member of the Srjan Dance Troupe, founded by her father-in-law.
She opened an Odissi institute, Guru Keerti Srjan, in her hometown Balasore in July 2011.
Awards
- Mahari Award given by Pankaj Charan Foundation
- 2nd Sanjukta Panigrahi Award given by Chitra Krishnamurthi from Washington D.C.
- Aditya Birla Kala Kiran Award, Mumbai
- Raaza Foundation Award, Delhi
- Hope of India, 2001
- Nritya Ragini, Puri 2002
- Baisakhi Award
- Prana Natta Samman
- Abhi Nandika, Puri 2004
- Bheemeshwar Pratikha Samman, 2004
- Raaza Puruskar, 2008
- Top Grade Artist of Doordarshan Outstanding Category Artist in ICCR