SUDHAKAR SAHOO

🪔 About

Guru Sudhakar Sahoo, born on January 1, 1935, is a highly revered figure in Indian classical dance, particularly known for his contributions to Odissi. His early exposure to arts came from his father, Duryodhan Sahu, a musicologist from whom he learned music from the age of seven. Sahoo's initial dance training was under Guru Duryodhan Mohanty. He further honed his skills by joining the Annapurna 'B' Group in Cuttack in 1950, where he performed in dance dramas, including playing Madhumangal in 'Giri Goverdhan Puja' under the direction of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in 1953. His journey into the Odissi style deepened when Guru Debaprasad Das, one of the founding fathers of Odissi, offered to teach him. Sahoo became a dedicated student of Guru Debaprasad Das in 1953 and remained his disciple and companion until Das's passing in 1985. He is a senior exponent of the distinct Debaprasad Das gharana of Odissi. Sahoo also received a scholarship from a research center established by Sangeet Natak Akademi in Puri, where he learned from Guru Padmanabha Das, known for Gotipua dance, and later from Guru Mohan Mohapatro. Throughout his career, Guru Sudhakar Sahoo has been a dedicated performer, teacher, and choreographer. He is particularly recognized as an undisputed master of 'abhinaya' (expressive dance). He has choreographed numerous dance dramas such as 'Manini,' 'Shakuntala,' 'Konark,' and 'Bichitra Barna,' as well as Odissi dance pieces like 'Kalyan Pallavi,' 'Ananda Bhairavi,' and 'Gauda Pallavi,' for which he also composed music. He introduced Bandha Nritya among female dancers in Odisha, notably teaching it to Bijayalaxmi Mohanty. Sahoo spent a significant part of his career as a touring teacher, travelling across various towns in Odisha to train students, thereby contributing significantly to the proliferation of Odissi dance. He also performed as a vocalist and mardal player for renowned danseuse Indrani Rehman. Guru Sudhakar Sahoo continues to teach and perform, demonstrating his enduring commitment to Odissi. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2014), Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalinga Bharati Sachidananda Award (1991), Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award (2014), Junior Fellowship, Senior Fellowship.