Bhubaneswar: The birth centenary of Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, celebrated through the Kelucharan Kirti Shatakam program from January 8 to 10 at the Odissi Research Centre and Rabindra Mandap, represents a profound moment of cultural and systemic synthesis for the state of Odisha.
Minister for Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, framing the occasion with moral urgency, characterized the legendary maestro’s life as a total surrender to the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of Odissi.
Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Secretary Odia Language, Literature and Culture coordinated the entire program, which captivated the audience.
Minister asserted that the Guru did not merely teach a dance form but facilitated a sacred encounter, elevating the art into a global phenomenon through rigorous devotion and unwavering faith. This legacy is inextricably linked to the devotional landscape of Lord Jagannatha, whose divine essence permeates every mudra and movement structured by the Guru.
The event featured an evidence-based narrative of the Guru’s journey through the release of a documentary film and a curated photographic exhibition, meticulously tracing the socio-legal and artistic evolution of Odissi under his stewardship.
The presence of luminaries such as Padmashree Priyambada Hejmadi, Padmashree Kumkum Mohanty, and Padmashree Madhavi Mudgal provided a layered historical perspective, as they recounted their personal experiences under the tutelage of the man who reconstructed a fading tradition into a pillar of national identity.
The spiritual gravity of the ceremony was further deepened by Guru Bishnutatwa Das’s performance of the traditional piece Dine Na Dakibu Radhika Boli. Accompanied by high-ranking officials including and Sri Deba Prasad Dash, the gathering served as a formal pledge to institutionalize the Guru’s vision, ensuring that the rhythmic legacy of the Lord of the Universe continues to resonate across generations.