Bhubaneswar: Noted Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra has been nominated for the Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi awards in the field of dance – Odissi – for this year. Official sources here said Sujata was among the 42 artistes picked by the general council of the Akademi at its meeting in Imphal, Manipur, June 8.
The list included 12 artistes from the field of music, nine each from dance and theater, and 10 from traditional, folk, tribal music, dance and puppetry fields.
Sujata had started learning Odissi at an early age from Guru Sudhakar Sahu. She took training under Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at the Odissi Research Centre here.
Disciple and daughter-in-law of legendary Odissi dance performer Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sujata forayed into dancing at a tender age and won accolades from audience as well as dance critics. She married Ratikant Mohapatra, son of Kelucharan and has a daughter Preetisha Mohapatra, also an Odissi dancer.
Sujata has a compelling stage presence and her dance is noted for its strict adherence to the Kelucharan Mohapatra style known for its grace, depth of expression, and technical exactitude.
Sujata will receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind at an event in New Delhi.