BENGALURU: She is on a mission to spread the beauty of Odissi to students. Madhulita Mohapatra (37), well-known Odissi dancer, has turned her passion into teaching this graceful dance form to students in government schools twice a week. She does not charge any fee as she says her Guru dakshina is when they turn into full-fledged dancers.
She says, “It is not just promotion of the art but also giving an opportunity to students to learn this dance form. My students eagerly await their classes which are held after study hours. “The only classical dance style they were aware of was Bharatanatyam. Now they proudly say, they are learning Odissi! ” she adds.
Many of these students also come to her academy, the Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts, started in 2009, in OMBR Layout. Mohapatra adds, “I don’t take money for teaching in these schools nor do I charge fees if they come to my academy. If they learn the art well, I am the happiest person as my main aim is to spread this art form all over Karnataka.”
Nrityantar has been working with many schools in the city with the idea of including classical dance as an integral part of school curriculum. A teacher adds, “The students enjoy the dance amidst the monotonous school activities, and also get to learn a dance form and a bit of our rich cultural heritage.”
Mohapatra elaborates, “It does make them more confident and interactive. Dance instils in them discipline, togetherness and team work, willingness for hardwork and focus on achieving goals. These values do help a child grow as an individual.”
Nrityantar’s annual festival Naman is yet another endeavour to popularise Odissi. The academy also organizes regular and special dance classes for children as well as elders. It holds free regular classes for under-privileged children. The idea is to discover and nurture great talents who in spite of having a lot of potential and passion, do not get ample opportunities and resources. It also assists aspiring artistes professionally with training and support.
Recalling her earlier days, she says, “I used to be scolded by my parents as they wanted me to pursue academics. So I went on to do M.Com and MBA and later ICWA. Hailing from Bhavanipatna, I was initiated into Sambalpuri folk dance. Later, I joined the Odisha Dance Academy and started learning under the guidance of Padma Shri Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Aruna Mohanty and Guru Pabitra Kumar Pradhan in Bhubaneswar. However, after my marriage, I left my job and pursued dance full time. I have been fortunate to get support from my husband, Imran, who is with UNICEF.”
She has performed in solos in almost all festivals in Karnataka and other cities in the country and also in Singapore and Malaysia. Mohapatra has made Bengaluru her home six years ago.
“This city has welcomed, encouraged and supported me. I feel Bengaluru is the emerging centre in the country for all kinds and styles of art, be it from north, south or east. Whatever little knowledge I have gained, I would like to share with others especially children,” she says with satisfaction.