‘Father of Odissi Dance’

‘The father of Odissi Dance’ Guru Mayadhar Raut, the revered Odissi dance maestro and Padma Shri awardee, recently passed away at the age of 94. Born on July 6, 1930, in the village of Kantapenhara, near Cuttack in Odisha, his life’s journey was a testament to unwavering dedication to the classical arts and the revival of Odissi dance. From a tender age, Mayadhar Raut was immersed in the world of dance. As a child, he trained as a gotipua, a young boy performing a traditional dance form that was historically the domain of female temple dancers. By the age of eight, he had joined the Orissa Theatre, and in 1945, he further honed his skills at Puri’s Annapurna Theatre, delving deep into Radha-Krishna abhinaya (expressive gestures). His passion led him to Kalakshetra in Chennai, where he trained under the esteemed Rukmini Devi Arundale, embracing the Guru-shishya tradition that would shape his future endeavours.

In the mid-20th century, Odissi was on the brink of obscurity. Recognizing the urgency to preserve this ancient art form, Guru Mayadhar Raut became a pivotal figure in its revival. As a founding member of Jayantika, an association established in the 1950s, he collaborated with fellow dancers and scholars to codify Odissi, ensuring its recognition as a classical dance form. His scholarly approach introduced Mudra Vinyoga in 1955, enriching the dance’s expressive vocabulary. Notable compositions like “Pashyati Dishi Dishi” and “Priya Charu Shile,” crafted in 1961, stand as testaments to his creative genius. Guru Raut’s commitment extended beyond performance to education and mentorship. He served as a faculty member at Kala Vikas Kendra in Odisha, where he mentored future stalwarts of Odissi, including Surendranath Jena, Hare Krishna Behera, and Ramani Ranjan Jena. Later, from 1970 to 1995, he was a distinguished instructor at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, influencing countless students with his profound knowledge of Natyashastra and Abhinaya Darpana. His teachings emphasized the importance of shastra (scriptural) grounding in dance, blending traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities.

Beyond the stage, Guru Raut was a family man. He was married to Mamta Khuntia, and together they nurtured a family deeply rooted in the arts. Their daughter, Madhumita Raut, followed in her father’s illustrious footsteps, carving her own niche as a renowned Odissi dancer. The father-daughter duo often collaborated, bringing generational perspectives to their performances and workshops. In his later years, Guru Raut faced significant challenges. Notably, in April 2022, at the age of 90, he was evicted from his government-allotted residence in Delhi’s Asian Games Village. This incident drew widespread attention, highlighting the precarious circumstances many artists endure despite their invaluable contributions to cultural heritage.

Throughout his illustrious career, Guru Mayadhar Raut received numerous accolades, reflecting his monumental impact on Indian classical dance. These include the Padma Shri Award (2010), one of India’s highest civilian honours, recognizing his unparalleled contribution to the arts; the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), conferred by India’s National Academy for Music, Dance, and Drama for his excellence in Odissi; the Tagore Akademi Ratna (2011), a special honour commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore; the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1984), acknowledging his significant contributions to Delhi’s cultural landscape; and the Odissi Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1977), recognizing his efforts in promoting and preserving Odissi dance. These awards, among others, underscore the profound respect and admiration he garnered from both the government and the artistic community.

The world of dance poured their condolence wishes, Guru Dr. Sonal Mansingh spoke dearly of Mayadhar Raut, she said “Guru Mayadhar Raut was one of the participants in Jayantia, in 1959, where scholars, senior dancers, gurus like Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Guru Kelu Charan Mahapatra, Guru Dev Prasad Das, and others came together to shape and define Odissi. Guru Mayadhar Raut, who recently passed away, made significant contributions to it, especially Abhinaya, and trained many notable dancers. His style was very different from Guru Kelu Charan Mahapatra's it was a softer approach. He incorporated fresh ideas from his studies at scholarship study at Kalakshetra, utilizing Natyashastra, Abhinaya darpan, and use of Hastamudras and Hasta Viniyogaah to enhance abhinaya. I offer my deepest respect and condolences to his family, particularly his daughter Madhumita, who is an Odissi dancer and teacher. May his soul rest in peace in the Jagannath Loka, at the feet of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.”

Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Dance Head, National Centre of Performing Arts, Mumbai, who herself is an accomplished Odissi dancer said, “My pranam to Guru ji, he was an integral part of our Odissi family. We would always remember his immense contribution with humility and gratitude.” Adding to that Dr. Sandhya Purecha, chairperson Sangeet Natak Akademy said, “I deeply mourn the loss of Great Guru Mayadhar Raut ji. With his passing, we have lost one of the foremost architects of Odissi whose deep shastric knowledge and brilliance revived and shaped the dance form as we know it today. His contributions to our world of dance are immeasurable and unparalleled. We are truly grateful for his life, his art, and his devotion. The world of dance has lost a guiding light. Atma Shanti.”

Odissi dance Guru Jhelum Paranjape said, "Guru Mayadhar Raut was a saint in his everyday life, ever-smiling and humility personified. A single look at him would reveal all of this. He was a soft-spoken person, very warm and loving, a guru who loved to give. No doubt, the Odissi world has lost a precious person, but humanity has lost a gem of a person. Such gems are very, very rare in today's world. His soul will definitely be at peace because it knows that his living mind, body, and heart have done great service to the Odissi world. My deepest respects and pranams to the departed soul." Jayati Bhatia, the acclaimed actor, who is his star student said, “I honed my dance skills under the guidance of Guru Mayadhar Raut. His mastery of Odissi and dedication to the classical arts shaped my deep understanding of movement and expression. Through his teachings, I imbibed grace, discipline, and storytelling in dance. I cannot thank him enough for what he has given me, as a tribute to my guiding light, my guru, I wish to acknowledge his immense influence on my artistic journey. Whenever my directors or audience appreciate me for my expressions & bhav, I thank my Guruji for teaching me Sanchari bhava and expressing through my eyes in depth. His legacy continues to inspire me, both on stage and beyond."

Guru Mayadhar Raut’s demise marks the end of an era, but his legacy continues to inspire. His life’s work not only resurrected a classical dance form but also ensured its thriving presence on global stages. Through his students, choreographies, and scholarly contributions, the essence of Odissi remains vibrant, echoing the timeless rhythms and stories he so passionately brought to life. As the dance community and admirers worldwide mourn his passing, they also celebrate a life that epitomized artistic brilliance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to cultural preservation. Guru Mayadhar Raut’s journey serves as a beacon for future generations, illuminating the path of dedication, passion, and the transformative power of the arts.