Bhubaneswar: The three-day cultural programme “Kelucharan Kirti Shatakam,” organised to mark the birth centenary of legendary Odissi dance guru Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, concluded on a reverential note at Rabindra Mandap here on Saturday.
The festival was jointly organised by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, and Srujan Institution as a tribute to Guruji’s unparalleled contribution to Odissi dance.
The closing day began with a solemn morning session in which eminent Odissi dancers and musicians paid devotional homage to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and shared personal memories of their association with him. Renowned dancers Sharon Lowen, Muktilata Pal, Sikata Das, Jhelum Paranjape, Shubhada Bhardwaj, and Sharmila Mukherjee, along with distinguished musicians including Laksmikant Palit and Dhaneswar Swain, recalled Guruji’s discipline, creative vision, and lasting influence on their artistic journeys.
A special moment of the session was the screening of a rare video of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra performing the Ashtapadi “Kuru Yadunandana” from Geet Govinda. Presented by Srujan Institution, the archival footage captivated the audience and evoked deep emotional responses, offering a glimpse into Guruji’s own mastery of expression and rhythm.
The evening session was attended by prominent cultural figures including Odisha Sahitya Akademi Secretary Chandrasekhar Hota, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya Principal Bijay Kumar Jena, and Odissi dance guru Ratikant Mohapatra, who paid heartfelt tributes to Guruji and acknowledged his role in shaping Odissi into a globally recognised classical dance form.
The concluding performances featured a rich repertoire of Odissi compositions presented by leading dancers. Sharon Lowen performed “Pashyati Dishi Dishi,” Meera Das “Vibhushan Puspe,” Jhelum Paranjape “Priye Charushile,” Jyoti Rout “Bhaj Govindam,” Manoranjan Pradhan and Minati Pradhan “Ardhanarishwar,” Bipanchi Das “Krishna Preeti,” Suhag Nalini Das “Rasa Panchak,” Pitambar Biswal “Ashabhari Pallavi,” Jyotsna Sahu “Nachanti Range Shrihari,” while Ranjib Bhattacharya, Arnab Bandopadhyay, Subikash Mukherjee, and Ranjita Mehra jointly presented “Hamsadhwani Pallavi.” All participating artists were felicitated by the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Srujan Institution in recognition of their contributions.
One of the major highlights of the centenary celebrations was a specially curated photo exhibition depicting Guruji’s life and legacy. The exhibition showcased rare photographs from his early years, his lifelong dedication to Odissi dance, his role as a teacher at the Odissi Research Centre, and his journey from receiving the Padma Shri to being conferred the Padma Vibhushan. The exhibition drew widespread appreciation from Guruji’s disciples, students, scholars, and art enthusiasts. A sand art installation created in Guruji’s memory also received enthusiastic acclaim.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi formally inaugurated the “Kelucharan Kirti Shatakam” on January 8 by offering floral tributes at Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s statue. Disciples and admirers from across India and abroad participated in the three-day programme, sharing memories and celebrating Guruji’s enduring legacy. To mark the birth centenary, the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre also released a short film chronicling the life and artistic journey of the iconic maestro.
