Bringing Odissi to the land of heritage

When it comes to culture, there’s always space for more in a city like Mysore, which lives, loves and breathes culture. Perhaps this prompted the birth of Odissi Dance Academy Mysore (ODAM), which opened its eyes to the world barely a month ago. The classes, engaged by Guru Sri Ajaya Kumar Champati from Rudraksh Foundation, have found many takers too!

The Odissi Dance Academy Mysore is a product of Orissa Association Mysore (OAM) and Rudraksh Foundation.

The OAM has been part of Mysore for nearly 17 years. Intertwined in the local culture, OAM has been actively involved in voluntary efforts for the upkeep of Mysore and surrounding places.

The organisation has already earned a name by doing the renovation of the 11th century Sri Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha temple on the south bank of Kaveri near Mysore.

Objective

 “The sole objective of this dance academy is for cultural amalgamation between the two culturally rich states - the Karnataka and Orissa,” says the President of Association S K Misra. The effort has paid fruitful results in the last one decade and the Association hopes to do more in the coming days to make the cultural exchange a mega success.

Adding that the school was opened in all seriousness of preparing future Odissi dancers even from Mysore, Mishra says the students of this school will perform at ‘Utkal Divas’ celebrations organised by the Association on April 4, 2011 at Jaganmohana Palace. 

Orissa Association Mysore is confident that the dance and music loving people of Mysore will encourage this effort and open themselves up to this oldest form of dance.

About the teacher

Champati, a well experienced teacher with knowledge in practical and theoretical aspects as well as basics of Odissi Dance, is preparing his students to imbibe the nuances of most graceful, oldest and sensuous form of dancing.

A teacher of repute, Champati learnt Odissi Dance from the early age of 11, under the direct tutelage of the renowned Guru late Sri Gangadhar Pradhan in Orissa Dance academy, Bhubaneswar, Orissa and later in Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Foundation (GGPF) also in Bhubaneswar.

While in the process of learning dance as a student, his inclination to tutor the basics of Odissi Dance to fellow students attracted the attention of Guru Sri Gangadhar Pradhan, who picked him up and assigned to teach Odissi Dance.

Since last 12 years, Sri Champati is teaching Odissi Dance and simultaneously performing Odissi Dance in various dance festivals in many places of India.

 He is a versatile Odissi Dancer as well as an excellent Odissi dance teacher. He has done Post Graduation (M.A) in Odissi Dance from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, under Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

Those who want to enrol for classes may contact OAM President Misra on 94483 54400.