A graduate in Computer Science, Wu Kan worked for over 10 years as a corporate executive at various international companies before she decided to leave from her company and fulfill her passion for Odissi. The talented dancer from Shanghai received a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in August 2015, and came to learn Odissi at Srjan, Bhubaneswar under the guidance of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. She was in the city for her ‘Rangapravesha’, the first step in the journey of a soloist. In a freewheeling talk with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, she opened up about her unbelievable journey. Excerpts:
How were you drawn towards Odissi?
Once I accidentally saw an Odissi dance video of Sujata Mohapatra. I was so mesmerised by her performance that I started searching details of Odissi dance online. I was working in an office at the time. Luckily, I received an ICCR scholarship and I came to Odisha to learn from Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra of Srjan. Initially, my parents couldn’t understand my passion. For a 30-year-old unmarried woman to leave her job and starting something from scratch was a tough choice indeed. However, they supported me later after realising my passion for the dance.
According to you, which is the most essential aspect of the dance form?
I love the very idea of performing before Lord Jagannath as I am deeply impacted by his stories. For me, Odissi is my first love and only destiny. May be Lord Jagannath wants me to dance Odissi.
Were there hurdles in your endeavour?
There are five forms of the dance: Mangalacharan, Pattu, Pallabi, Abhinay and Moksha. Some of those forms are purely based on dance, while forms like Abhinay are tougher as it requires more expressions. Live music is tougher to follow while recorded music is easy. These were quite challenging as I practised for four hours a day. In my learning classes, I have been taught the meaning of every song that was ever sung in Odissi. However, Geet Govinda is my personal favourite.
Describe your emotions on the day of your ‘Rangapravesha’?
Apart from Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, the Chinese consulate from Kolkata, Chinese people and my dancer friends were present on the occasion. My emotions on the day are indescribable. It was the most special moment of my life. I performed Margam of Odissi from Mangalacharan to Mokshya. Then, I recited Mangalacharan, the traditional invocatory item in Odissi, paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath and then performed a Vishnu Vandana with the Shloka, ‘Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam’ from the Vishnu Sahasranamam, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, set to the music composition of Guru Bijay Kumar Jena.
Tell us about your experience in Bhubaneswar?
Bhubaneswar is very clean, green and warm. Bhubaneswar is rich in art and culture. The people are warm and gentle. I love the cuisines of Odisha like mustard hilsa, dalma and chennapoda. I also love Bomkai Saree which is my favourite outfit. I find women in Odisha very beautiful and curvy. I want to dance in temples.
What are your future plans?
I want to introduce Odissi dance to people back in home in Beijing. I want to open a dance school in Shanghai. My dream is to dance before Lord Jagannath, but it’s not possible. However, Odisha is my second home and I understand that priests of Srimandir have their logic not to let foreigners inside the temple. I have been to Rath Yatra in Puri where I sensed his energy and blessings on me.
