Whether it is Puri, the city of Lord Jagannath or the Sun Temple of Konark to save the miraculous power and energy of the Sun, everywhere you will see artefacts carved on stones adorned with soulful postures. This way of preserving our culture, our art and our traditions is very ancient and a more vibrant form of this is our classical and folk arts too. Be it music or dance, every art expresses emotion. It is a sadhana which attains perfection after years of hard work and dedication. Artists who worship such art then become an inspiration to everyone. Odissi classical dance guru Sujata Mohapatra is one such name who has imbibed this art in the mind. Today Sujata Mohapatra, who is proficient in this dance form, is presenting this form of Indian art with pride not only in the country but also abroad. Sujata ji, who has received honors and awards for her performances in the country and abroad, is planting the plants of Odissi dance in the next generation with equal devotion.
Training started at the age of 4
One life is too short for the practice of art. This is completely true for Sujata. This must have been the reason that he had made his inclination towards art clear at the age of just 4 years. Apart from this, there was another thing that inspired him and that was the dedicated atmosphere of his home to art. Her mother herself was an Odissi dancer and had received her education from the late Kelucharan Mohapatra, a renowned Odissi dance artist, Padma Vibhushan, a Kalaguru who brought classical Odissi dance to world recognition.
It was a coincidence that not only did Sujata later learn the nuances of dance from the late Kelucharan Mohapatra ji for about 20 years, but she also became his daughter-in-law. Carrying on this tradition of her guru and family, today Sujatha is also playing an important role as principal in ‘Srijan’, an Odissi dance training institute established by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
temple dance tradition
Odissi dance mainly represents the Mahari tradition of temple dance. This is the reason that various religious tales and tales are depicted through this dance. In this Mahari tradition, both Bhakti Bhava and Rati Bhava are represented. Devotion to the Lord and expression of unconditional love beyond materialism, both forms of expressions characterize this dance form. Sujata ji is skilled in making these episodes alive on the stage with her soulful dance. He has no match in beautifully engraving Shri Krishna and his life events, especially.
Sujata ji has assimilated the teachings from her gurus in such a way that she is able to represent the techniques of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his distinctive expressions on stage in Odissi dance form. This is the reason that today everyone is convinced of his dance at the national and international level. Sujata ji has been honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Government of India-2017), Pandit Jasraj Samman, Sanjukta Panigrahi Samman, Mahari Samman, etc., for her dedication to her performances and art.
If you have an eye on the goal, then what is the fear of obstacles?
As a Principal, Guru and International level artist of a training institute, Sujata believes in playing every role of life with ease. She believes that if you have set a goal, then don’t be afraid of the obstacles that come your way. Obstacles are part of life, don’t take a step back fearing them. Keep setting your priorities and keep moving towards the goal. According to Sujata, complete dedication to the arts helps you to continuously learn and improve. Regular practice is the only way for this.
Apart from dance, literature and yoga also help Sujata ji to remain positive in life. She believes that it is a blessing to have a mentor in the form of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and if she can make a part of Guruji’s dance life through her efforts, it will make her training worthwhile.
Whether it is Puri, the city of Lord Jagannath or the Sun Temple of Konark to save the miraculous power and energy of the Sun, everywhere you will see artefacts carved on stones adorned with soulful postures. This way of preserving our culture, our art and our traditions is very ancient and a more vibrant form of this is our classical and folk arts too. Be it music or dance, every art expresses emotion. It is a sadhana which attains perfection after years of hard work and dedication. Artists who worship such art then become an inspiration to everyone. Odissi classical dance guru Sujata Mohapatra is one such name who has imbibed this art in the mind. Today Sujata Mohapatra, who is proficient in this dance form, is presenting this form of Indian art with pride not only in the country but also abroad. Sujata ji, who has received honors and awards for her performances in the country and abroad, is planting the plants of Odissi dance in the next generation with equal devotion.
