Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odissi exponent and Padma Shri awardee Smt. Kumkum Mohanty made a clarion call to the present generation of Odissi gurus to uphold the traditional grammar and discipline of the classical dance form, cautioning against excessive innovation that distorts its roots.
Speaking at the Sampoorna Sadhika Dance Festival 2025, held at Utkal Rangamanch on Sunday, the veteran dancer emphasized that while creativity is welcome, it must not come at the cost of foundational values set by earlier stalwarts. “You are free to experiment, but not at the expense of twisting the tradition and grammar established by our gurus,” she urged.
Organized by the Dhrubatara Dance Academy, the festival was a vibrant confluence of classical finesse and youthful energy. The event also witnessed Smt. Mohanty being conferred the Sampoorna Sadhika Samman, in recognition of her lifelong contribution to Odissi dance.
In her speech, she also encouraged parents to allow their children to pursue classical dance. “If parents think dance will ruin their children’s future, they are barking up the wrong tree. In fact, it instills discipline and shapes them into responsible citizens,” she said, striking a chord with the audience.
Apart from Smt. Mohanty, the festival honoured several other luminaries with the Sampoorna Sadhika Samman, including Guru Muktilata Pal, Mardala maestro Sachidananda Das, Guru Gourishankar Dash, Guru Bijay Kumar Dash, and renowned surgeon Dr. Sudhir Kumar Panigrahi of KIMS.
The day-long festival was divided into morning and evening sessions, showcasing performances by over 150 artistes, ranging from seasoned professionals to budding talents.
The evening session began on an auspicious note with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Dancers from the host institution set the stage with their compelling rendition of ‘Nabadurga’. Highlights of the night included duet performances by Chirasrota Khuntia and Meera Dash of Satyabadi Sangeeta Mahavidyalaya, Sakhigopal, and another by Sasmita Lima and Nayani Munda, who presented an Odissi abhinaya ‘Dyaye Subarna Barna’ and a folk dance respectively.
Solo performances by rising stars such as Anwesha Santi, Riyanshika Barik, Sushree Priyadarshini, Phalguni Dasgupta, Moni Deepa, Aradhya Priyadarshini, Aanvi Nayak, Sambhavi Sampada Panda, Blessy Priyanshi Parida, Anshika Singh, and Aaradhya Pattnaik enthralled the audience, leaving a lasting impression.
Seshadeba Ojha anchored the evening with finesse and flair.
Dhrubatara Dance Academy: Nurturing the next generation
Established in 2014 by Odissi duo Dushmanta Maharana and Tagari Gain, Dhrubatara Dance Academy has been playing a pivotal role in promoting Odissi dance both within India and on international platforms. Through initiatives like Sampoorna Sadhika, the academy is providing much-needed stage exposure to both seasoned and aspiring dancers.
Dushmanta, a disciple of legendary gurus including Padma Shri Maguni Charan Das, Smt. Kumkum Mohanty, and Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, has represented Indian classical dance at prestigious festivals like Edinburgh Mela, Festival of India in Bhutan, and the International Odissi Festival in the USA. He has also received the Senior National Scholarship from the Ministry of HRD.
Similarly, Tagari Gain, a seasoned dancer in her own right, has trained under noted gurus such as Guru Rabi Narayan Behera and Guru Gajendra Panda, and has participated in numerous acclaimed festivals.
Together, they have built a community of passionate young dancers who continue to carry the torch of Odissi dance forward.
