Bhubaneswar: Among the six distinguished personalities from Odisha chosen for the prestigious Central Sangeet Natak Akademy (CSNA) Award, Odissi dance exponent Guru Bichitrananda Swain is one of them.
Widely acclaimed as one of the foremost choreographers of Odissi dance, he is credited with bringing the ‘purushang’ (Male form) to the forefront of Odissi choreographies and redefining male dancers’ space in the classical tradition.
Yet, the road to fame was anything but easy
Drawn to Odissi from an early age, the young Swain followed his heart and enrolled at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar without informing his family. Later his father came to know about it. He not only allowed him to pursue his passion but also encouraged him. The years he spent at the institution shaped him not only into an accomplished dancer but also into a good human being.
Having lost his mother at the tender age of nine, Swain suffered another devastating blow when his father passed away during his fourth year of study. He felt as if the ground from beneath his foot disappeared. There were days when he went hungry and nights when he slept with empty stomach. At one point of time, buying dance costumes was a distant dream when even decent clothes were beyond his reach.
Adversity proved to be a stern but invaluable teacher
During these challenging days, he had the rare opportunity to train under some greatest stalwarts of Odissi dance-Guru Pankaj Charan Das and Guru Debaprasad Das at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay, Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at the Odissi Research Centre, Padma Shri Guru Gangadhar Pradhan and Padma Shri Guru Aruna Mohanty at Orissa Dance Academy. He also had the good fortune of receiving guidance directly from Padma Shri Sanjukta Panigrahi.
After completing his studies (M.Mus), Swain left the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay with lots of dream. What worked to his benefits were His humility, gracious demeanour, ever-present smile, and impeccable command of technique. Performance invitations started pouring in, and once he found his footing, there was no looking back.
He served as Principal and Chief Instructor at one of internationally acclaimed Orissa Dance Academy, from 1988-2002, before establishing his own institute, Rudrakshya Foundation, in 2002.
Interestingly, Swain said founding an institution was never part of his grand plan. The idea took root when he realized the need for a true Gurukul where there would be harmony between Guru and disciples and where students, teachers, friends and community members would all feel at home. He wanted to create a space to nurture the talent in young dancers and give them the training and confidence to succeed as artists in their own right.
The institution soon turned into a labour of love
When Swain began teaching, he noticed a recurring pattern of male dancers being sidelined, even when it came to portray the characters of male Gods. Refusing to accept the system, he set out to change it. He started teaching young boys to be perfect dancers and teachers. He started creating choreographies that suit the boys and highlight their strength and vigour and expressive potential.
Because of his pioneering efforts, he is known as the architect of ‘purushang’ in Odissi choreography.
Over the years, Rudrakshya Foundation has carved out a niche for itself as a centre of excellence where outstanding dancers are being created through holistic approach that combines discipline, creativity, sensitivity, and artistic expression. Under his stewardship, the institution has emerged as one of the most successful training centres for aspiring dancers.
Guru Bichitrananda Swain has mentored many of the most celebrated Odissi soloists performing today. True to the spirit of the guru-shishya tradition, he ensures that financial hardship shouldn’t come as a deterrent for talented dancers. He is taking students who lack the means to pursue dance professionally under his wing and providing them with free education, food, and accommodation for as long as they choose to remain in his Gurukul-like institution.
A devout believer of Goddess Mangala Gauri, Guru Swain has a dream of establishing a full-fledged gurukul on a pristine tract of land he purchased on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Once established, the campus will welcome students from different corners of the world, providing them with a nurturing environment to get themselves immersed in Odissi dance and music.
He is confident that with the blessing of the Goddess, his dream will become true soon.
With about 44 choreographies to his credit, Swain is no stranger to awards and accolades. His long lists of recognitions include State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Smruti Samman, Nrutya Ratna Samman, Nrutyarchana Samman, Saptasajya Lifetime Achievement Award, Nalco Kharavela Award, Nrutya Nataraj Award, Gotipua Aradhana Samman, Srinath Jagannath Samman (Rajasthan), Adyasha Award (Bangalore), Alvas Award (Mangalore), Sarada Award (Vijayawada), Amaravati Award (Vishakhapatnam), Chhandoktsav Award (Indore) and numerous prestigious awards from across the country.
His artistic footprint extends far beyond India’s shores. Alongside his disciples, he has captivated audiences in major cities of South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Canada, South America, United states, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and China.
Today, Guru Bichitrananda Swain is famous not merely as a dancer or choreographer, but as a visionary teacher whose legacy lives on through generations of performers. His work reflects a profound understanding of dance as a powerful medium of expression—energetic, thought-provoking, and deeply inspiring.
From days of hardship and uncertainty to global acclamation, his journey stands as a testament to perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to preserving and enriching the timeless tradition of Odissi.
Kalasanskruti wishes this acclaimed choreographer good health and well-being in the years to come.
