Lessons in art

Credited to be the architect of present day Odissi,Mohapatra has a glorious lineage of students across the globe. Gandhi has been presenting the concert annually in salutations to the teacher and performer while bringing to Pune,national-level dancers of Odissi for increasing its awareness. “This year’s concert has the disciple and daughter in law of guruji,Sujata Mohapatra. She is the worthy torchbearer of the legacy of guruji and will perform an offering on his 85th birth anniversary. The greatness of the person lied in his humbleness and he has upheld the excellence and perfection which we try to revive consistently,” adds Gandhi.

Recollecting some of her fond memories,Gandhi adds,“I remember the modest life we lived while learning in Orrisa and guruji would be considerate towards our every minute need. A great devotee of Lord Jagganath,you could see the bhakti depicted through his dance. It was a medium of worship for him. Later when he visited my home in Pune,he praised the dance studio here. The man had a vision of seeing dance persevere everywhere. Today,as a teacher myself I see his teachings each time in a new light and they continue to guide me.”

The concert will be held at Symbiosis Vishwabhavan auditorium,Senapati Bapat Road,on Sunday from from 5.45 to 8 pm.