Known for his poignant expressions and graceful movements, Aniket Pallav Nayak of Dhenkanal has made a mark in Odissi, the oldest surviving classical dance form of India. Mentored by Guru Shri Niranjan Rout, he has performed abroad in the UAE and USA. That apart, he has showcased his skill at many prestigious national and international events.
To Aniket, dance has been a way of life since he was about four years of age. His passion for dance, elegant moves and sweet smile captivate the audience when he takes the stage. Winner of a series of competitions, Aniket believes he is a born dancer who has been able to make a mark in the field because of hard work and dedication.
Son of Rashmi Rekha and Padmanav Nayak of Dhenkanal, Aniket had to face many hurdles in his efforts to pursue Odissi. He said, “I saw Odissi for the first time on television when I was just four. It fascinated me, and I tried to copy the moves of the performers. Later, learning the intricacies of Odissi became a passion for me. In the beginning, my family objected and asked me to shift my focus to some other profession, especially because Odissi was performed predominantly by women in the past. But the moment I watched Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra perform, I was mesmerised and resolved to learn Odissi. Realising my level of interest, my father admitted me to Natraj Sangeeta Mahavidyalaya, Dhenkanal. I received my first Odissi lessons from guru Somanath Pradhan at the institute.”
“However, the days at the institute were not easy for me. Other family members started objecting to my learning dance. But I continued my training and went on to win my first dance competition at school level at the age of seven in Dhenkanal. The citation and award encouraged me to hone my skill further. My parents were fully supportive and that helped me achieve one goal after another. I won many competitions at district as well as state levels,” said a contended Aniket.
A winner of the Governor’s and Chief Minister’s trophies, Aniket is also good at studies. He always scored above 90 per cent in his school examinations. After his Class XII examinations, he enrolled for a degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering at Synergy Institute of Engineering & Technology, Dhenkanal. But he never stopped practising Odissi. After obtaining an engineering degree, Aniket wanted to make a career in Odissi. But his parents asked him to look for a job. This forced Aniket to move to Bhubaneswar. He started attending tuition classes to prepare for the banking service examinations. Meanwhile, he also joined Nupur Dance Group, a training institute, and managed to get scholarships for Odissi.
Aniket recounted an interesting incident: “Once, just prior to my performance at a district level festival in Dhenkanal, my costume got damaged in such a way that it fell down to the ground. The organisers and my friends suggested that I should not perform, but I was determined to dance in front of the large audience that had gathered to watch my performance. I picked up a roll of sewing thread to fix the dress and performed for over two hours despite being in discomfort.”
The graded artiste of Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar has displayed his dancing skill in many cities including New Delhi, Vishakhapatnam, Bangalore and Mumbai. He has a deep interest in the Lasya, Dasa Mahavidya, Abhinaya and Pallavi aspects of Odissi.
Aniket is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Performing Arts in Odissi dance at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar. “Nowadays, I am busy with workshops, imparting lessons to those who are interested in learning Odissi. I want to get a doctoral degree in Odissi and take the popular dance form of our state across the globe,” he said.
SOYONG, OP
