Himanshu Guru
Odissi, the classical dance form of Orissa, has played a major role in propagating the name of the state at an international platform. Several maestros of this unique classical dance have become renowned and have earned prestigious awards after showcasing their abilities. Pallavi Das is an Odissi connoisseur from the state. She is the recipient of the Senior National Scholarship (2009) given by the government of India, ministry of culture, New Delhi. She founded her own dance academy months ago in Mumbai to train a batch of aspirants with national ambitions. Sunday POST looks at her journey as a classical dancer.
Born to Chabbibala and Basanta Kumar Das June 20, 1987 in Bhubaneswar, Pallavi spent her childhood in Puri. She completed her High School education from Venketswar English Medium School and then joined Rama Devi Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar to pursue her graduation. Wife of Bollywood editor Biren Jyoti Mohanty the dancer got her Odissi training from the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCMORC). Later, she also joined the centre as an intern. She is a diploma in Nrutyashree Adaya and Purna from Sangeet Natak Academy. She has also completed the Sangeet Bhushan Part 5 from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.
In an exclusive interview to Sunday POST Pallavi said, “Being the granddaughter of the legendry Guru, the doyen of Odissi dance, Adi Guru Late Padma Shri Pankaj Charan Das, I have devoted my life to Odissi for the last 15 years during which period I have performed extensively representing the state at the national front. I have stepped into the world of Odissi under the Late Guru Sahadev Padhi, who was a senior disciple of Adi Guruji. Born in a traditional Mahari family I was associated with the service of Lord Jagannath at Puri. I initiated my dance career early at the age of seven taking inspiration from my grandfather, and started grasping the beauty and intricacies of Odissi. I tried to express them through my creative style,” said the dancer.
“In 2006 I was accepted into the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre as an intern and later upgraded to the repertory in 2012. I got the senior national scholarship for Odissi under Guru Kanduri Charan Behera,” Pallavi added.
She is a promising dancer with an inherent talent of the Mahari gharana. She excels in her graceful body movement, elegant expressions and intricate footwork.
So far, Pallavi has danced in a number of concerts like the Konark Dance and Music Festival, National Dance and Music Festival 2007, Guru Pankaj Nrutya Ustav 2006 and 2007, Gundicha Festival 2006, Bologarh Mohastav 2005, Utkal Divas in New Delhi, Shreekhyatra Mohastav 2005, Khurda Mohostav, National Youth Festival 2010 with ODA, Priya Oriya 2010, Utkal Divas at Mumbai Orissa Nivas 2011. She has
performed both solo and duet compositions.
Pallavi also worked in an Indo-Chinese film with Shilpa Shetty, Jayaprada and Vikram Gokhle. She has participated in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest Odissi dance December 23, 2011 at Kalinga Stadium. So far, she has performed in Doordarshan and other satellite channels.
Pallavi founded her own dance academy recently in Mumbai. About the academy she said, “My dance institute ‘Aamad performing arts’ caters to different forms of dances including Odissi, Kathak, Ballet, Zumba, Kalari, Thaichi.”
Talking about her personal experiences of teaching Odissi in Mumbai the dancer said, “It feels great to be conducting classes in Mumbai. The students are very talented and energetic. Most of them are new to any classical form. Amongst the students Ishita Moitri, Ananya, Ashima Jain, and Ishita Sharma are very talented. They grasp the tough steps of the dance quite swiftly.”
When asked why she preferred Odissi, Pallavi said, “Being the granddaughter of the Adi Guru of Odissi I grew up with the legends and artists. I always dreamt about the dance. Also, as I hail from the Mahari gharana I never thought of anything beyond Odissi. My first inspiration was my grandpa. My mother was a dancer too.”
Narrating her love for classical dance Pallavi said, “India has a rich tradition of classical dance. I feel nowadays classical dance is very popular and people are willing to get trained in all classical dance forms. It shows how classical dance is improving day by day.”
Mumbai is the glittering city – the home of Bollywood. It is a place where people from all over the country come to showcase their talents. The city is witness to several dance forms. When asked how far Odissi is accepted in Mumbai Pallavi said, “Mumbai is the busiest city of India. But still people love Odissi. They respect Odissi dance which makes me feel proud. The most attractive part is that they enjoy the theory mudras and gestures of Odissi dance.”
Pallavi also heads an institute named Guru Pankaj Sanskruti Academy named after her grandfather. She has been
organising the Guru Pankaj Charan Das Award Festival every year. To propagate this dance form she has launched a number of awareness events and workshops. “My family and my in-laws always supported and encouraged me to pursue my profession and passion in a positive way. My inspiration and backbone is my family; without them I would never have made it,” Pallavi signed off.
