Bhubaneswar: The legacy of an artiste lives on through the students and admirers they inspire. So, the memory of Guru Gopinath Swain, one of the last surviving masters of the near-extinct art form ‘Krishna Leela’, will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
At the age of 107, he breathed his last at his native village Govindapur, under Sheragada block in Ganjam district on October 2, 2025. He was suffering from age-related ailments.
A revered teacher and performer, Guru Gopinath Swain dedicated nearly nine decades to the preservation and propagation of the traditional art form. He specialized in the ‘Krishna Leela’ authored by 18th-century saint Babaji Dukhisyama Dasa in the Odia language and based on Odissi music.
Throughout his illustrious career, he performed and trained hundreds of students in this form through several traditional akhada schools. Known for his vast collection of rare classical ragas and his mastery of improvisation, Guru Swain was admired, and will continue to be admired, for his unwavering commitment to preserving the ancient art form.
Born in 1918, Guru Swain began learning ‘Krishna Leela’ at the age of ten from his father’s elder brother and later from Guru Choudhury Behera. Over time, became a revered performer, gaining reputation as a leading Guru and an exceptional vocalist of ‘Krishna Leela’ and for his extensive repertoire, intricate vocal improvisations, and fidelity to the traditional presentation style.
As he witnessed rare old ragas and songs of the tradition gradually disappearing, he dedicated his life to collecting and learning endangered parts of the repertoire. He sought knowledge from the greatest gurus in the 1940-50s, including Guru Akula Padhi, Guru Harihara, brothers of the late Guru Duti Padhi, Guru Bhobani Patra, Acharjya Tarini Charan Patra and over a dozen others. Eventually, he mastered the entire art form. He would sing and teach rare ancient Odissi ragas such as Dakhinasri, Chinta Desakhya, Todi Bhatiari, Bhatiari, Kumbha Kamodi, Punnaga and Kedara Kamodi.
A true traditionalist, Guru Swain established and taught in traditional akhadas (village-based performing schools) across Odisha. Among his prominent disciples are Somanatha Swain, Rama Swain, Gola Swain, Prasanta Bisoi, Nabaghana Bisoi, Sridhara Pradhan, Santa Pradhan, Kalu Swain and Kunja Khatei – many of whom are established gurus in their own right.
In recognition of his unparalleled contribution, Guru Swain received several awards and accolades. While he received ‘Swarna Kundala’ (Golden Earrings) and ‘Khadu’ (Bangles) from royal patrons. He also received Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2021 and Padma Shri in 2024.
Eminent Odissi dancer and CSNA awardee Dr Snehaprava Samantaray described Guru Gopinath Swain as “a custodian of an endangered heritage.”
“What set him apart is his dedication towards the art form. Despite facing severe financial and social challenges, he emerged as a distinguished performer and later, custodian of the art form. His dedication was extraordinary, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations. His passing is a cultural loss,” she added.
Noted Mardala exponent and CSNA awardee Guru Dhaneswar Swain said, “The void created by his demise is immense. Such masters are born once in a decade. His life was a testament to devotion, dedication and discipline.”
Recalling his interactions with Guru Swain, young Odissi dancer and founder of ‘Utkalika’, an Odissi dance institution, Sekhar Suman Majhi said, “I met Guruji in 2020 and meeting him was like witnessing history. He could sing rare ragas with effortless precision. We were honoured to confer the Acharya Tarini Charan Patra Samman upon him in 2023.”
