Mumbai: Smitalay, the dance wing of Sane Guruji Arogya Mandir, Santacruz, celebrated the centenary year of legendary Odissi guru Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra with a special dance presentation on Sunday, August 9. The programme brought together the fourth generation of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s disciples in a unique tribute to his immense contribution to Odissi.
The highlight of the celebration was an Odissi performance by students of seven senior disciples of Guru Jhelum Paranjape, who herself was an ardent disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The students represented the third generation from Guru Jhelum, and consequently the fourth generation from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, making the presentation a significant tribute to the legendary guru’s legacy.
The participating senior disciples were Mitali D’Souza, Nivedita Mukherjee, Sanatan Chakravarty, Ankur Ballal, Rupali Kadam, Dipali Tikam and Hemangi Pisat. Their students presented Odissi compositions, reflecting the training and traditions passed down through generations.
Guru Jhelum Paranjape is among Mumbai’s leading Odissi mentors and has played an important role in carrying forward Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s tradition. At Smitalay, several of her students have gone on to establish themselves independently as teachers and performers. Ankur Ballal, Sanatan Chakravarty and Rupali Kadam also continue to teach at Smitalay, while Hemangi Pisat has been working with differently abled children, using dance as a means of creative expression and learning.
Smitalay itself was named as a tribute to renowned Indian actress Smita Patil, with whom Guru Jhelum Paranjape shared a close association. The institution has continued to promote Indian classical dance and provide a platform for generations of dancers.
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, along with eminent disciples such as Sanjukta Panigrahi and collaborators including Guru Raghunath Panigrahi and Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, played a crucial role in taking Odissi to audiences across India and the world. His distinctive style and dedication to the classical tradition continue to influence generations of dancers.
The centenary celebration at Smitalay therefore became more than just a dance programme—it was a celebration of guru-shishya parampara, artistic heritage and the continuing journey of Odissi through successive generations.
by-Guru Vijayshanker
