Himanshu Guru
Deepa Mishra is open to the possibilities of creating original dance styles through creative fusion but as an Odissi artiste she appreciatesthe importance of retaining the pristine appeal of the dance form
“I want to create new-age choreographies in both folk and Odissi, while keeping intact the originality of the dance forms,” said Dhrutideepa Mishra, widely known as Deepa Mishra. A ‘visharad’ in Odissi dance from the Prachin Kala Kendra in Chandigarh, the beautiful artist is also a ‘visharad’ in tabla, a rare feat for a woman. Orissa POST talks to the youngster about her achievements in dancing.
Born to Charulata and Khetrabasi Mishra, Deepa is a student of the well-known Odissi Guru Sundarlal Patel who is a direct disciple of the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Asked whether she has had the good fortune to have trained under Guru Kelucharan, Deepa said: “No. I hail from the Kelucharan style of Odissi, but I have not directly learnt anything from him. During the Odissi examinations he was a judge and I got the chance to interact with the great Guru. He advised me to practise regularly. He is an iconic figure. Ratikant Mohapatra sir, son of the legendary Guru, has also invited me to learn from him and I may join his academy soon.”
Talking about the initial days of her career as a dancer Deepa said: “I started tapping my steps to the tune of Sambalpuri songs when I was only five years old. In the early days I performed in a few stage shows. Some of my family members are artists who inspired me to strive for success in life and become a professional dancer.”
Deepa has, so far, performed at prestigious dance festivals. “I danced at the Konark Dance Festival with my group in 2008, presenting a folk choreography and the next year performed Odissi at the same venue. I also performed at the Puri Beach Festival in 2006, Gopalpur Beach Festival, Khajuraho Festival in 2010, and at the Kanchenjunga Dance Festival in 2011 as a solo performer,” she said.
Deepa has performed in Delhi, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Chennai. She has judged a few competitions and has received a number of awards including the Nrutya Madhuram award 2016 in Odissi, Cradel 2015 and Chinta O Chetana 2008.
“I am an approved artiste of the Song and Drama Division and have had the opportunity to perform in many states,” the dancer said.
Sharing a memorable moment in her life as a dancer Deepa said: “I truly enjoyed the folk festival in Delhi, held January 26, 2008. A lot of dignitaries witnessed the performance and later our group performed at the American Embassy in Chanakyapuri.”
Apart from being a gem of a dancer Deepa is also a model and kitchen writer. “I was featured on the cover of ‘Kadambini’, the popular women’s magazine, and bagged an award for modelling in 2004. I also received the KIIT Kitchen Award and was selected the best food writer for the year 2016,” she said.
Dwelling on the support of her family, the young danseuse said: “My parents and siblings have helped me achieve my goal. My father was a theatre artiste and perhaps, we sisters have inherited art from him. My mother too was a singer albeit not a greatly popular one.”
Asked about her aim as a dancer Deepa said: “Odissi is my passion. But I want to compose ballets on epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata using creative folk styles. However, I always make it a point to retain the originality of the dance forms during the compositions, be it folk or Odissi. I am cut to the quick by bogus compositions and choreographies that masquerade as works of art,” Deepa signed off.
