Sujata Mohapatra

🪔 About

Sujata Mohapatra is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer and teacher specializing in the Odissi dancing style, renowned globally for her embodiment of the dance form's lyrical grace, technical mastery, and spiritual depth. Born on June 27, 1968, in Balasore, Odisha, India, into a family deeply rooted in devotion to Lord Jagannatha, she began her dance journey at the tender age of four under her mother's guidance. Her formal Odissi education commenced at Nrutya Sangeeta Kala Mandir in Balasore, where she trained for seven years under Gurus Sudhakar Sahoo and Lingaraj Behera. She further refined her skills at Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack under Guru Raghunath Dutta. In 1989, Mohapatra moved to Bhubaneswar and began intensive training under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, becoming one of his most committed senior disciples. She spent over 18 years under his tutelage at the Odissi Research Centre and Srjan, the premier Odissi institution he founded in 1993. Her relationship with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra deepened further when she married his son, Ratikant Mohapatra, in 1997, continuing a profound family legacy in the art form. As the Principal and Artistic Director of Srjan in Bhubaneswar, Mohapatra has trained generations of dancers through the traditional Gurukul system, fostering deep technical proficiency and artistic depth in the Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana style. She performs extensively as a soloist and a leading member of the Srjan Dance Troupe across India and internationally, including countries like Canada, the UK, USA, Japan, Italy, Singapore, France, and Germany. Her dance is particularly noted for its strict adherence to Guruji's style, characterized by grace, depth of expression, and technical exactitude. In July 2011, she established Guru Keerti Srjan, an Odissi dance institute in her hometown of Balasore, dedicated to advancing the art form and honoring her guru. Mohapatra holds a master's degree in Odia literature from Utkal University and received an honorary doctorate in dance from Fakir Mohan University in 2023. Her daughter, Preetisha Mohapatra, is also an established Odissi dancer. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017), Nritya Choodamani Award (2014), Aditya Birla Kalakiran Puraskar, Pandit Jasraj Award, Sanjukta Panigrahi Samman, Mahari Award, Raaza Puruskar (2008), Devadasi Award, Hope of India (2001), Nritya Ragini (2002), Baisakhi Award, Prana Natta Samman, Abhi Nandika (2004), Bhimeswar Pratikha Samman (2004), Konark Utsav Samman (2024).