Madhumita Raut

🪔 About

Madhumita Raut (April 4, 1966 – March 21, 2026) was a celebrated Indian classical Odissi dancer, teacher, and choreographer, widely recognized as the main torchbearer of the Mayadhar Raut Gharana. Born in Delhi, India, she was the daughter of Mamta Khuntia and the legendary Guru Mayadhar Raut, who was instrumental in the revival and codification of Odissi in the 1950s with his Shastra-based knowledge. Raut's training in Odissi began at a very young age, around three or four, under the tutelage of her father. She pursued her academic education at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's School and Indraprastha College in Delhi, earning a master's degree in English Literature from Delhi University and a diploma in Performing Arts. Her dedication to the art form was further supported by a scholarship from the Delhi Government for Odissi dance studies and a fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for research in Odissi. Her career was marked by an early debut (Manchapravesh) at the age of eight at the Jagannath Mandir, followed by landmark performances at the Acropolis and Delphi Amphitheatre in Greece at fifteen. Madhumita Raut performed extensively in major dance festivals across India and internationally, including Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Morocco, France, Portugal, Japan, Malaysia, and the U.S.. She also taught Odissi in the U.S., Netherlands, Japan, and Germany. Her choreographic innovations included compositions on Hungarian and German poetry (Goethe), and fusion dances with Balinese dancer Dia Tantri. Raut utilized dance for social causes, performing for organizations like the Indian Cancer Society and WWF-India. She authored the book "Odissi: What, Why and How: Evolution, Revival and Technique" in 2007. Based in Delhi, Madhumita Raut managed and taught at the Jayantika Association's Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, continuing her father's legacy. She was an A-grade artist of Doordarshan and an empanelled artist of I.C.C.R.. Documentary films about her dance were produced by Netherlands, German (Stuttgart), and Hungarian television companies. Madhumita Raut passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 59, due to cardiac arrest in Delhi. Awards & Honours: Bharat Nirman Award (1997), Orissa State Ghungur Samman (2010), Utkal Kanya award (2010), Mahila Shakti Samman (2010), Odisha Living Legend Award (2011).