Priyambada Mohanty

🪔 About

Born on November 18, 1939, Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, scientist, academician, and art writer. She commenced her training in the Indian classical dance form of Odissi at an early age, studying under Ban Bihari Maiti and later under Singhari Shyama Sundar Kar at the Utkal Sangeet Samaj in Cuttack. Her pivotal performance at the First Inter-University Youth Festival in New Delhi in 1954 is widely recognized for bringing Odissi to national and international attention, significantly aided by the renowned art critic Charles Fabri. This performance is often cited as the "discovery of Odissi dance outside Odisha". She further refined her dance under Kavichandra Kalicharan Patnaik, who polished her presentation and even composed a song for her abhinaya. She also worked with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra for choreography for a full evening's program in 1961. Beyond her profound contributions to dance, Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi pursued a remarkable academic career. She earned both a master's degree and a doctoral degree in zoology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Her professional journey included serving as a Professor of Zoology and later as the Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University. A Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, she has authored numerous articles and books on both dance and zoology, including "Odissi: An Indian Classical Dance Form" and "Gotipuas-the Boy Dancers of Odisha". Her multifaceted career has played a crucial role in the revival, establishment, and popularization of Odissi dance, alongside her significant scientific research and academic leadership. She also contributed to the establishment of the Regional Museum of Natural History in Bhubaneswar. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (Science & Engineering) (1998), Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1986), Governor's Plaque (Odissi Dance), Odissi Nrutya Sanman (2013), Upendra Bhanja Award, Nritya Saraswati Samman, Nritya Bharati Samman, Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship Award (1991), All India Congress of Zoology Gold Medal (1994), Biju Pattnaik Award (for wildlife conservation), Bigyan Ratna Award from Odisha Bigyan Prachar Samiti (2013), Honorary D Sc by Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Gangaadhar Rath Smaraki Samman (2020).