Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award

GURU KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA AWARD

“Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award”

It is widely acknowledged that the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was instrumental—almost single-handedly—in resurrecting the classical dance form of Odissi from the brink of extinction. From humble beginnings as an impoverished mason, he rose to become one of India’s most revered cultural icons, honoured with the Padma Vibhushan for his unparalleled contribution to Odissi dance. A master performer, choreographer, and visionary, Guruji devoted his life to the spiritual and artistic elevation of this sacred art form, imbuing it with aesthetic grace and profound depth.

Among the many endeavours closest to his heart was the institution of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award, an initiative that continues to embody his compassion and abiding concern for fellow artistes in the fields of dance, music, cinema, and theatre. Established in 1995 by his son and disciple Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, Director of Srjan (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa), the award stands today as one of the most prestigious honours in the realm of Indian performing arts.

Conceived as a tribute to Guruji’s indelible legacy, the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award honours two stalwart artistes each year whose life and work reflect excellence, unwavering commitment, and significant contributions to India’s cultural and artistic landscape. The recipients are felicitated with a citation and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. Since its inception, 70 luminaries have been conferred with this distinguished recognition, each bearing testimony to the timeless ideals Guruji stood for.

In its inaugural year, the award carried a modest sum of ₹10,000. During the years 2000 to 2009, 28 artistes received ₹25,000 each, and since 2010, the prize amount was revised to ₹50,000. In 2016, the award was elevated to its current allocation of ₹1,00,000, reflecting both its growing stature and the enduring value it holds within the artistic fraternity.

Beyond honouring individual excellence, the award seeks to cultivate a spirit of camaraderie among artistes—encouraging collaboration, mutual respect, and collective endeavour in taking their art to greater heights. It is founded on the belief that the performing arts are best nurtured through shared inspiration and a united commitment to aesthetic refinement.

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s life was a continuous pursuit of beauty—an offering of devotion through every movement, every creation, and every act of grace. As inheritors of this profound legacy, it is our sacred responsibility to preserve, celebrate, and carry forward the ideals he lived by, ensuring that his vision of art as a path to transcendence continues to illuminate generations to come.

"Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prativa Samman"

Srjan derives its inspiration from the fountainhead of Odissi dance of our times—Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. In his own life, Guruji demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to his craft, to his performance, and to his students. In instituting the Yuva Pratibha Samman, Srjan’s primary focus is to revive the all-important role of the solo dancer in the classical idiom; it is the solo performance in Indian classical dance which unveils the very soul of the dance and brings to life the individual brilliance that the dancer lives and strives for, constantly. The effort is to instill a continuing sense of purpose in the young dancer, a determination to overcome all odds, to push oneself to the very peak of perfection, time after time. The award carries a cash award of ₹ 25,000/- and a citation.

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