Bhubaneswar: Padma Shri awardee and one of the last remaining Gurus of the near-extinct folk dance tradition of Krishna Leela, Gopinath Swain, passed away on Thursday. He was 107.
Swain breathed his last at 6.40 am today at his residence in Govindapur village under Sheragada block in Ganjam district. He had been under treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and was recently brought back home and he succumbed to age-related ailments.
A doyen of Krishna Leela, Swain dedicated over nine decades to the documentation, preservation, and performance of the ancient art form. He began his journey at the age of 10, portraying the role of Krishna and learning traditional songs under the tutelage of Guru Choudhury Behera. Over time, he also played the role of ‘Yashoda’ and rose to become the lead singer, director, and guru.
Alarmed by the gradual disappearance of the original ragas and performance styles, Swain undertook a lifelong mission to collect and revive 500- to 600-year-old ragas. He learned from senior gurus including Akula Padhi, Harihara, Bhabani Patra, and Tarini Chandra Patra during the 1940s and 50s.
In recognition of his immense contribution to safeguarding Krishna Leela, he was conferred with the Padma Shri—India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
His demise marks the end of an era for the traditional performing arts of Odisha.
