Kanduri Charan Behera

🪔 About

Guru Kanduri Charan Behera, a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, dedicated his life to the Odissi form. Born on August 22, 1961, in Chasapada near Chandpur in Puri, he began his journey in dance as a Gotipua dancer. He further honed his skills and graduated in Odissi from the esteemed Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. His training was guided by an array of legendary gurus, including Pankaj Charan Das, Debaprasad Das, Mahadev Rout, Kelucharan Mohapatra, and Gangadhar Pradhan. Behera was widely recognized as both a great dancer and a revered guru of Odissi classical dance. In 1988, he joined the faculty of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, where he imparted his knowledge and expertise for 23 years. Beyond teaching, he was also a talented choreographer. His performances were noted for their poignant expressions and graceful movements. He performed at significant events such as the International Odissi Dance Festival in Bhubaneswar in December 2012. Guru Kanduri Charan Behera passed away on June 21, 2016, at the age of 54, in a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, after suffering from cardiac problems and kidney failure. His demise was mourned by the Odissi dance community, with students and colleagues remembering him as a friendly and guiding teacher. His mortal remains were kept at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya for tributes before his last rites were performed in his native village.