Dhirendranath Pattnaik

🪔 About

Dhirendranath Pattnaik, born in 1933 in Bonai, Orissa, was a pivotal figure in the revival and classical recognition of Odissi dance. He received his early dance training from teachers like Dinabandhu Majhi, Bir Hanuman Shastri, and Padmanavadas. In 1954, he made history as one of the first onstage performers of Odissi, alongside Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, at the Inter University Youth Festival in New Delhi. His dedication to the art form was further solidified in 1955 when he became the first Odissi dancer to receive a National Scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India, prompting him to dedicate his life to Odissi research. Pattnaik was instrumental in the formalization of Odissi. In 1957, he co-founded 'Jayantika,' an association with legendary gurus aimed at developing Odissi dance, serving as its General Secretary. His extensive research culminated in Odissi gaining classical status at a seminar in Hyderabad in 1964, where he presented his findings. He held significant administrative and academic roles, including heading the research department of Kala Vikash Kendra in Cuttack and serving as the Founder-Principal of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar. From 1980 to 1991, he was the Secretary of the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi and later founded the Mayur Art Centre in Bhubaneswar. A prolific scholar, Pattnaik authored 16 books in Oriya and English, including "Odissi Nrutya," considered the first major work on the subject. He also wrote extensively on other regional performing arts like Chhau dance and Prahlad Natak, and translated important texts such as the Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Chandrika. Beyond his scholarly contributions, he composed scripts, lyrics, and choreographed eight dance-dramas. Dhirendranath Pattnaik, an internationally acclaimed authority on Orissa's performing arts, passed away on January 1, 2009, at his Cuttack residence at the age of 75. Awards & Honours: National Scholarship from Department of Culture, Government of India (1955), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1992), Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award, Nrutya Nayak title by Chandigarh Prachin Kala Kendra, Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.