Odissi dancer Sonali Mohapatra has been a source of inspiration for many. Despite her auditory disability, her perfect form and graceful movements have established her as an artiste par excellence. Orissa Post interacts with the artiste about her experience and aspirations at her Patia residence.
Does your physical limitation come in the way of your performance?
I lost my hearing capacity at the age of five due to medical negligence. My father Nirmal Mohapatra and my late mother Jayanti Mohapatra never let this problem affect my passion for dance. My father taught me how to catch taal and how to follow lip sync. I started talking at the age of 12, due to my hearing disability. My parents’ hard work and support helped me overcome my physical debility.
What was your major influence in life?
My father was a singer, a sitarist, an actor and a music director. He often worked with Odissi dancers and that got me influenced. I started learning dance at the age of seven.
How do you assess your dance journey?
My first guru was Dhiradevi. Then I learnt from Truptimayi Mohanty. I learnt Odissi from Guru Durgacharan Ranbir. Initially, I used to practice for 6-8 hours a day.
Your first performance?
It’s memorable. I performed at the age of 14 before the Governor at Indoor stadium in Cuttack. I followed taal taught by my father and everything went well. More than a hundred people sought my autograph. Later on, in 2001 I performed non-stop for 90 minutes at the Indian International centre in New Delhi.
Accolades which came your way?
The most coveted award I received so far is National Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva award, 2011 which I received in 2013 for Odissi dance.
Can you explain the transition from a dancer to a choreographer?
I always consult my Guru Durga Charan Ranbir before choreographing a song. He blessed me and I started my journey from 2003. I had taken my students to India’s Got Talent where judge Farha Khan touched my feet when she came to know about my handicap. She said how can you choreograph when you can’t hear”.
Your recent tour to Japan won you many accolades.
As an Odissi dancer I visited Japan in 2007 and again in May 2018 with my group. The Japanese crowd was so passionate about Odissi, I can’t believe as they kept on requesting me for four performances non-stop. I have several students today and currently I am choreographing Odissi for my students from across the globe.
Your future plans?
I had established my dance school Nrutya Upasana Pitha at Bhubaneswar Doordarshan Colony in 2005. I would like to teach more deaf and dumb students who are aspiring to be Odissi dancers. I want to do much more work for my mute friends.
Critical appreciation
I am amazed at the kind of abhinaya Sonali does. A good dancer often makes a mistake, but Sonali never falters. No one can ever say that she is hearing impaired. Her abhinaya capacity, her footwork and ability to capture taal is extraordinary.
Durga Charan Ranbir| Guru
I’m not saying this because I am her husband. Truly, Sonali is gifted and her ability to perform in spite of her physical debility is mind boggling.
Abhiram Nanda| Husband
I am proud of Sonali as I am convinced that nothing is impossible for her as she is a gifted child. She is an inspiration to millions of people.
Nirmal Kumar Mohapatra| Father
Chaitali Shome,OP